Chapter 193: Education First

Chapter 193: Education First

"Brother, can we really go to school?" Little Radish watched as Qiong, the officer from the Compulsory Education Department, walked away, then turned his hopeful eyes to his brother.

Though still young and unable to fully grasp the conversation between his brother and the pretty lady, he had caught the gist of it.

"I don’t know yet. I’ll go check first." Xiao Kaier didn’t dare give a definite answer—he was afraid of disappointing his brother.

Where there was no hope, there would be no disappointment.

That was what Uncle Heller had told him, and he firmly believed it.

He handed the half loaf of bread he had bought to his brother and was about to hurry off to the downtown Church to investigate.

"I’m coming too!" Little Radish quickly grabbed his brother’s sleeve.

"Uh… alright, stay close then." After a moment’s thought, Xiao Kaier nodded in agreement.

A sliver of hope had sprouted in his heart—whether it was because of Qiong’s sweet smile or the miraculous internet, he wasn’t sure.

So he thought, what if it was true? It would be troublesome to run back and fetch his brother later. Might as well bring him along now. Besides, he didn’t have to sell newspapers in the afternoon anyway.

If it turned out to be a lie, they could just return together.

Little Radish was overjoyed at his brother’s response and quickly trotted after him.

With each cheerful step he took, the gaping mouth of his worn-out rubber shoes stretched wider, as if grinning broadly, revealing his grimy toes.

By the time they rushed to the downtown Church, Xiao Kaier’s steps had slowed, his hesitation growing. But the moment he caught sight of the Church in the distance, his doubts vanished.

Yet, he was also stunned.

Outside the solemn and dignified Church, a soup kitchen had been set up. Countless children were holding bowls, chattering away as they lined up for food.

A group of young women and elderly ladies were maintaining order.

Noticing the hesitant approach of the two brothers, a young woman smiled and walked over, bending down to say, "Don’t be shy, come on! Have you eaten yet? If not, join us for lunch. Go over there to get a bowl, line up, and no cutting in line, okay?"

"Gurgle…" Xiao Kaier’s stomach, empty since morning, betrayed him with a loud growl at the scent of food wafting from the Church entrance.

"This… it’s free, right?" Xiao Kaier pointed at the soup kitchen, then quickly added, "Qiong told me so."

"Of course it’s free! Go on!"

Encouraged by the young woman’s smile, Xiao Kaier could hold back no longer. He took his brother’s hand and walked over.

If they had to pay, he thought, with so many people here, what was there to fear?

There were many children around, and Xiao Kaier even spotted quite a few familiar faces—kids he used to sell newspapers with.

He had even fought with some of them back then, scrambling for the best newspaper-selling spots!

But now, Xiao Kaier didn’t dare start any fights. He was afraid of being kicked out.

At the very least, a free meal was something to take advantage of.

As Xiao Kaier stood in line, more and more children gathered, making him nervous. He worried there wouldn’t be enough food to go around.

Fortunately, he had arrived early and soon received his lunch.

The meal was simple: a bowl of oatmeal mixed with breadcrumbs, making it thick and seemingly filling.

Besides that, there was a serving of mashed potatoes and some assorted dried fish—cod, eel, conger eel, even congealed eel jelly.

For Pu'en City, a place that thrives by the sea, these seafood dishes were nothing extraordinary.

But for Xiao Kaier and his younger brother, who hadn’t experienced a full meal in a long time, this lunch was nothing short of a feast. Xiao Kaier’s belly visibly bulged from eating so much, making him a little embarrassed.

He even deliberately hunched slightly as he walked, afraid that others might think him too gluttonous and refuse to feed him in the future.

After the meal, his younger brother quietly asked him, “Brother, can we come here to eat every day? Just for lunch?”

Xiao Kaier couldn’t answer that question. He could only say, “This might just be a passing act of kindness from the noble lords. Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

“Oh.” Little Radish let out a half-understanding “oh,” his expression clearly disappointed.

Afterward, under the guidance of the staff, the children lined up by the church’s hand pump to wash their dishes before being allowed inside.

The church was enormous. Looking up, the dome stretched as high as the sky, surrounded by intricately carved beams and painted rafters—utterly exquisite.

Xiao Kaier didn’t have time to take it all in before he was ushered to a seat in the prayer pews.

Many children had gathered today. Though the church was large and the pews plentiful, they were still packed full.

This reminded Xiao Kaier of the rare occasions in his childhood when he had come here with his parents to pray.

It made him a little sad.

But amid the lively chatter of the children around him, his attention was quickly diverted.

Before long, a young woman stepped onto the pulpit where the pastor should have been delivering a sermon—it was Qiong, the same woman who had found Xiao Kaier and his brother.

She began with a smile, introducing herself, then waved her hand, summoning a massive Virtual Screen behind her.

The topic of her lecture today was none other than Aji De ideology.

As a former newspaper boy, Xiao Kaier was already familiar with Aji De ideology.

But when Qiong used images and even videos to explain it, he was still stunned.

Many things he had never dared to imagine—or even conceive of—were now presented before him with striking clarity and impact.

Inside the church, the children fell utterly silent!

It was clear that most of them didn’t really understand what Qiong was saying. They were simply awestruck by the wonders displayed on the Virtual Screen.

But they would never realize that some education happens precisely in this state of innocent bewilderment.

One day in the future, they might suddenly recall a phrase, have an epiphany, or even regard certain theories as common sense—or even as their own innate beliefs.

They might naturally come to love or despise certain things.

If asked why, most wouldn’t be able to explain.

This was enlightenment education.

For Yu Sheng’an, leveraging the interplay of capital and the internet, along with ideology and culture, to construct an imagined community was not just about forging a nation—it was about building his own cultural fortress.

The lesson ended in complete silence.

Only after a long while did the children gradually snap out of their daze, excitement bubbling up once more.

Their chattering voices nearly lifted the church’s dome off its foundations.

This might have been the liveliest moment in the church’s history since its founding.

At three in the afternoon, Qiong suddenly approached and called Xiao Kaier aside—she was preparing to arrange a work-study program for him.

Worried about his younger brother, Xiao Kaier asked for Qiong’s permission and brought Little Radish along.

Stepping out of the church, the clamor inside instantly became distant as the heavy wooden door closed behind them.

"Qiong!"

A deep voice interrupted Xiao Kaier’s intention to ask about the specifics of the work-study program.

A tall man strode toward them.

From his gentleman's hat, tailcoat, and leather shoes, Xiao Kaier guessed he must be a wealthy noble or merchant.

This made Xiao Kaier shrink back slightly in fear.

"Wilbur? What is it?" Qiong stopped in her tracks.

"Yes, I have an extremely important matter and need your help! I’ve heard your father, Sir Bai Ruide, has a good relationship with Ben Keming. I hope Sir Bai Ruide can convey a message to Ben Keming on my behalf."

Wilbur’s expression was grave, his tone solemn.