Chapter 48: Parade
That afternoon.
Chen Feng left the Martial Arts Hall and said goodbye to Lin Hao.
He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion.
He could sense a quiet change in Lin Hao’s attitude towards him.
Different from the usual deliberate concealment, there was an unspoken closeness.
"Shall I give you a ride?"
Lin Hao asked with a smile, gesturing towards the sedan parked below the Martial Arts Hall.
It was blue, a Flying Car brand, obviously more expensive than the one Aunt He had from the supermarket.
"No need, I’ll take the bus."
Chen Feng shook his head. He knew they weren’t going the same way, and there was no need to bother.
"Alright, then take it slow."
"Okay."
Chen Feng waved his hand, and they bid each other farewell.
Then, he stepped forward and walked to the bus station.
At the same time, he saw Wu Tian and Pei Yue driving a black jeep past the roadside.
They exchanged glances through the car window for a moment, but Chen Feng didn’t pay much attention.
He has never liked to quibble too much with fools.
"It’s the people from Tianheng Society..."
His gaze flickered, Chen Feng surveyed the surroundings and didn’t notice any malice.
The black car that had been tailing was nowhere to be seen, obviously having left already.
After pondering for a moment, the bus arrived.
Chen Feng didn’t delay any further, quickly boarded the bus, scanned the code, and then found a window seat to sit down.
This was the central district of Nanjiang City.
Many high buildings surrounded the area, their layers of glass windows reflecting the sunset’s afterglow, resembling a sea of buildings.
Between the crisscrossing buildings, malls and department stores lined up in tightly packed rows.
Looking up and out the window, one could see holographic projections floating outside some major brand buildings, appearing like scenes that meshed with reality.
"Technology is indeed much more advanced than on Earth."
Chen Feng glanced around, thinking about the discussions he heard today in the Martial Arts Hall.
It was said that marketplace already had technological items like Muscle Enhancement Liquid and Life Potion available that could enhance the physique of ordinary people.
However, due to differing policies of various United Councils, they had not yet officially circulated in Nanjiang City.
Only through some smaller channels could one have the chance to purchase them.
"However, it seems that inside the Martial Arts Hall, there are also items with similar effects."
"They call them secret medicine, only to be used in Martial Arts cultivation..."
A flicker of curiosity crossed his eyes as Chen Feng thought of Xu Dongtai, who had been defeated by him.
According to Lin Hao’s private indication, Xu Dongtai had taken the secret medicine, albeit an incomplete one with ordinary potency.
As thoughts arose, Chen Feng had some ideas.
But suddenly, the bus that had stopped abruptly interrupted his train of thought.
"Beep beep beep!" freёwebnoѵel.com
"Why is there a traffic jam again!"
"Look quickly!"
Outside, the sound of car horns continued, and many passengers inside also looked around.
Chen Feng followed their gaze and soon saw a surprising scene.
At the crossroads ahead on the asphalt road, under the pedestrian light of the traffic signal.
There were dozens of people gathered, holding a long banner, blocking the road and shouting many words.
"Protest! Protest!"
"Protest against United Council regulations, strongly demanding strict gun control!"
"Protest!!!"
The words on the banner caught his eye, and Chen Feng heard the shouting of the crowd.
Somewhat surprised, unlike the memories of his original self, this was the first time he had seen a so-called public demonstration.
Most of those holding the banners and shouting loudly were youths, but there were also a few poorly dressed, obviously unhappy middle-aged people.
Instantly, the road was completely congested and paralyzed, and the surrounding crowd’s discussion became increasingly noisy.
"It’s said to be about the recent jewelry store robbery, causing several people to be accidentally injured by firearms..."
"I also heard, it seems like two people couldn’t be saved, one of them was a little girl."
"It seems that gun control really needs to be strengthened....."
In the murmurs, most supported the protest march.
But obviously, few dared to get out of their cars and join them.
Within just a few minutes, several flying cars came from halfway up the high-rise buildings.
Red and blue lights flashing, the flying cars were slate gray - clearly, people from the Security Bureau had arrived.
Buzz!
Air waves rose, and a strong gust of wind made the gathered crowd sway and stumble.
Soon, tear gas was thrown from mid-air, swiftly suppressing the so-called protest crowd.
"One-sided...."
Squinting slightly, Chen Feng silently watched all of this unfold.
In less than ten minutes, the crowd from the protest march had been completely controlled by the Security Officers; some fled leaving behind banners and a mess.
Finally, the road returned to normal.
Chen Feng sat on the bus, witnessing a middle-aged man being handcuffed and pressed down on the ground.
And coincidentally, the Security Officer who restrained him looked somewhat familiar.
....
"Stay calm, don’t resist!"
"Hmm?"
Restraining the middle-aged protester, Xiang Jianjun suddenly felt a familiar gaze.
Turning his head, he saw the bus slowly leaving, as if someone had just withdrawn their gaze from him.
"What’s the matter, Captain Xiang?" a young Security Officer alongside him asked.
"It’s nothing."
Shaking his head, Xiang Jianjun didn’t think much of it.
Instead, he looked around at the overturned road barriers and banners trampled with dirty, chaotic footprints.
"It’s getting more chaotic...."
Sighing, Xiang Jianjun’s tone was melancholic, his face weary.
The young Security Officer beside him remained silent, also empathizing.
Not only did the gold shop robbery case remain unsolved, another outbreak had occurred recently.
The number of protest marches had also started to increase, and there were more cases with bodies missing organs.
The pressure on the Security Bureau was mounting.
"Ah..."
......
"Ah."
Inside the supermarket, seeing Chen Feng arrive, Aunt He sighed.
"I don’t know what’s wrong with this machine at the entrance, it’s been silent all afternoon."
Hearing this, Chen Feng halted.
He realized that the mechanical greeting tone hadn’t sounded.
"It must be broken."
Chen Feng said, then walked over to the cash register and put on a red staff vest.
"Does Sister Liu know?"
"She knows, but the technician said he’s too busy today and can only come tomorrow."
"Oh." Chen Feng nodded, his expression unchanged.
Seeing this, Aunt He didn’t chat further, quickly smiling and waving goodbye as she drove away.
Similarly, after cleaning up and preparing to hand over her shift, Li Hongxia also changed into her delivery staff clothes and walked to the cash register.
Next to her stood Xu Yao, carrying a backpack, her shoulder-length short hair tied into a ponytail.
Wearing a white short-sleeved shirt with a cartoon cat pattern on it.
"Xiao Feng, Sister Zhang said she’ll be here soon; I’m in a bit of a rush, so I’m heading out."
"Alright, take care, Sister Hongxia."
"Goodbye, Brother Chen Feng."
Xu Yao said quietly, still somewhat hesitant to make eye contact with Chen Feng.
To this, Chen Feng smiled slightly and gently ruffled her hair.
Before long, he watched as she blushed and hopped onto the electric scooter, hurrying off with the hastily departing Li Hongxia.