Chapter 96: New Home
On the second day, Su Hao went to the city to find a job.
However, he was frustrated to find that no one would believe a four-year-old boy like him could do anything. Once they understood his purpose, they outright rejected him without any hesitation.
This put Su Hao in a dilemma. Finding a job wasn't easy these days, and living a life of scraping by wasn't easy either.
But he couldn't keep resorting to petty theft and deception. How can one walk by the river without getting their shoes wet?
After wandering around for a while, Su Hao clapped his hands and made a decision. He secretly thought, "Since no one wants to hire me, but I still need to make a living, don't force me to do something dubious!"
Lowering his standards a bit for his own pursuit seemed normal, right?
After experiencing a rampage in the previous world without any scruples, Su Hao gradually calmed down. He gained a new understanding of his own thinking and even human thinking.
Everyone has different life goals and makes different choices.
Ultimately, the path one takes is influenced by their surrounding environment. In other words, thinking is not only limited by genetics but also by the environment.
From birth, every person is destined to be trapped in a vast network called interpersonal relationships, difficult to break free from. The only difference is the position each person holds within this web.
Like a moth trapped in a spider's web, no matter how hard it struggles, it cannot escape its ultimate fate.
But Su Hao, this moth, is different. He can break free from one web and then pounce on another.
This gradual change in his thinking has led to significant transformations.
Having experienced death multiple times and being able to reincarnate each time, he has become somewhat fearless and reckless.
He seems unable to truly die unless one day he suddenly loses himself and forgets that his name is Su Hao.
As Luo Zhaohui, he gained high reputation and had endless money, losing the heartfelt love for it.
As Wu Xiangwu, he had the burning desire to accomplish earth-shattering deeds, but after entering another world, that passion was suddenly extinguished by a bucket of cold water. Perhaps, that passion for changing the world can never be regained.
The only constant may be the heart that continuously explores the world and the curiosity about the universe.
What fills him with passion is just four simple words—so that's how it is.
Su Hao looked at his sharp nails and asked himself, "Am I still the same human as before?"
He could be called human, but he might no longer be the same as he was.
He had already sensed himself gradually shedding the shell of being a human, and he didn't know when in the future he would also lose his perception as a human.
Then, in breaking one boundary after another, he would reshape a new soul.
So, what is a soul? Su Hao didn't know; he believed that the soul is self-awareness.
What is will?
Su Hao also didn't know; he believed that will is the logic of perceiving things.
When his cognition transcends the realm of humanity, is he still human? If not, what is he?
Su Hao gradually realized that in the future, he would slowly change his perception, deviating from the way a normal person thinks. The sole determining factor of his actions would be what he desires.
As long as he achieves his goals, he may do many unconventional things! The rules that govern human behavior will have less and less influence on him.
For example, in this life, stealing and thieving for survival didn't seem inappropriate to him.
Apart from the pressure to survive, he found it difficult to feel a sense of racial identification with the Zhu Huo people. Although he didn't dislike them, he didn't feel a sense of kinship either.
One can imagine that in the next world, if he is lucky enough to become a human again, his sense of identification with humans might decrease accordingly. Perhaps not! This remains to be seen, but the future will surely reveal the answer.
...
After saving enough money, Su Hao decided to find a new place to live. In any case, living in a cramped little hideout was better than staying there. Besides, as his body grew stronger and taller, that small den could no longer meet his needs.
Su Hao carried his money pouch and found a dental clinic that specialized in real estate services. He selected a secluded small house with a courtyard.
Led by the dental clinic attendant, Su Hao arrived at the small courtyard.
The tall attendant was an ordinary person. He didn't look down on Su Hao just because of his young age. Even if he did, he wouldn't show it on his face because people like them only cared about money. As long as you had money, you were their boss.
The attendant's curly hair was braided into small braids that covered his head. He liked to pinch one of the braids with his fingers when he spoke, and he had a smiling face as he introduced the place to Su Hao, saying, "The previous owner of this courtyard was also a young child. His father suddenly passed away about two months ago, leaving behind some property. Later, due to livelihood pressures, they had to sell this house. The price is not expensive now, and if you can secure it, you will definitely gain."
Su Hao walked around the small courtyard and was very satisfied. He said, "This courtyard is 2,000 Zhu. I'll take it. But how can I guarantee it?"
The attendant looked surprised and glanced at Su Hao, saying, "In this small town, all real estate transactions are guaranteed by the 'Shanghe' Merchant Association. You can rest assured of that."
Su Hao took the opportunity to ask, "What is the 'Shanghe' Merchant Association?"
The attendant patiently explained, "The 'Shanghe' Merchant Association is a large organization formed spontaneously by the various merchants, large and small, in the city. Nine individuals with the highest prestige are chosen as representatives to arbitrate all commercial disputes, big and small, in the city. Of course, sometimes they do more than that. In short, the 'Shanghe' Merchant Association can handle everything in the city."
Su Hao nodded in understanding.
The attendant took out two contracts from his bag and asked, "Can you write?"
Su Hao looked at the paper filled with words and simply shook his head, saying, "No."
The attendant took out a box and handed it to Su Hao, gesturing, "You just need to make a handprint on this paper."
Just as he finished speaking, the attendant quickly added, "Don't worry, there won't be any problems."
Without any hesitation, Su Hao pressed a large handprint on the paper.
Then, he handed over the money without any hesitation.
He wasn't afraid of problems. If someone dared to intimidate him, he would sneak in at night and give them a good beating, then take his money back.
The attendant took the money pouch, handed over one copy of the contract to Su Hao, kept his own copy, and then glanced outside the courtyard, saying, "Kid, there seem to be a few slightly older kids eyeing you out there. What do you plan to do?"
Su Hao handed over another handful of money and said, "Can you take care of it for me?"
The attendant happily accepted the money and said, "Of course,
just wait and see!"
Saying that, he pulled out a whip from somewhere, rolled up his sleeves to his shoulders, revealing a tattoo of a scorpion-like creature on his arm. He pushed open the door and immediately charged at the group of wandering children, intimidating them, "You little bastards, take a good look. This is the territory protected by the Sandworm Gang. If anyone dares to cause trouble within a month, each one will have a leg broken. Do you hear me?!"
The group of seven or eight-year-old children immediately scattered and fled in all directions.
Su Hao silently thought to himself, "It seems that this Siliam City is indeed controlled by various gangs."
Then, he paused for a moment. Did he just hear something? What does 'within a month' mean?
The braided attendant walked back in with a smiling face and said, "Alright, I've settled it for you. If you encounter any trouble within a month, you can find me to handle it for you."
Su Hao's mouth twitched, and he calmly said, "What about after a month?"
The attendant replied, "After a month, I don't know. After all, this money is only enough to guarantee one month, and I even gave you a discount. If you want to continue receiving the protection of our Sandworm Gang after a month, you can come to me and pay the full management fee."
Su Hao nodded and remained silent.
The braided attendant was very happy to have completed the transaction today. Humming an unknown tune, he left.
After the braided attendant left, Su Hao couldn't help but comment, "These gangs are really shady!"
Su Hao quickly moved all his belongings into the small house. He didn't have many things, mainly warm clothing and blankets. After a little tidying up, he could settle in.
Although it was simple, it was still a normal refuge.
He sat on the eaves and stared blankly at the empty courtyard. Suddenly, he remembered the small courtyard at Chashan Checkpoint in his previous life. His father, Wu Yuntian, often sat at the stone table in the courtyard and drank tea. He also remembered the small villa where he stayed with his parents and younger brother as Luo Zhaohui.
Su Hao murmured, "The more people you meet, the emptier your heart becomes..."
(Translated by begs)