Chapter 793: Deadly Joke (Part Twenty) (Patreon)

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Of course, the piece of meat in front of Bruce wasn't a complete steak but rather some trimmings. However, judging by its quality, it was excellent meat, the kind that wealthy people often indulged in.

What came next surprised Bruce even more. There was a pot of clam soup, two oysters, two large sandwiches, and even a small piece of cake.

Selena rubbed her hands together and said, "The West Coast has its merits, but the food isn't that great. Home-cooked meals are still the best."

After saying this, she picked up a fork, speared a piece of beef, and put it directly into her mouth.

Watching her enjoy the meal, Bruce felt hungry too. He picked up a knife and fork, cut a small piece of steak, and after putting it in his mouth, the rich broth and abundant fat burst open, releasing a delightful aroma that intoxicated Bruce.

This answered a long-standing puzzle for him. The first time he took Catwoman to a fancy restaurant and she had the extremely expensive steak, she didn't show much surprise. Today, the tables had turned, and Bruce was sure he must have failed to control his facial expressions because Selena was now smirking at him.

Selena chuckled and said, "Don't think we eat scraps in the slums. That's not true!"

"Gotham is wealthy, we've known that for a long time. Although the common folks may not be rich, as long as there are wealthy people, we can enjoy some good food too." Selena shrugged and explained further:

"Because the restaurants have good business and high customer flow, they order ingredients in bulk, making them cheaper. So, the owners aren't too concerned about wastage. The kitchen staff mostly comes from the East District."

"The owners turn a blind eye, and the kitchen staff pick up the trimmings. However, due to the high consumption, there are plenty of leftovers every day. The kitchen staff can't finish them, so they sell them."

"Of course, these trimmings can't compare to the main dishes. They're much cheaper. These steaks you see are leftovers from high-end restaurants. Do you remember when we went to those places, we only ordered the best cuts? But a single cow produces a lot of meat, and there's always some left."

"Also, some dishes use the best cuts, but only the most essential part. The rest is chopped finely. What you're eating is like that. It's high-quality, but because it's too finely chopped, it can't be sold at a high price."

Bruce looked down at his plate. Selena was right; the beef on his plate didn't require a knife; it was already finely chopped. Such minced meat wouldn't be served in any restaurant in the South District.

"These seafood items are frozen goods, usually stolen by drivers in cold chain transportation. There's already some loss during transport, so adding a bit more isn't a big deal. That's why every cold chain driver is eager to do this job; it's an easy extra income."

"Also, these vegetables you see are mostly for decoration. The customers at those high-end restaurants don't eat them. When the kitchen staff is cleaning the plates, they keep these aside and sell them too."

Selena gestured towards the window of the restaurant and said, "Don't be fooled by the lively scene outside. The ingredients they use aren't as good as what we're eating now. Many shop owners choose to grind up some less desirable meat and make patties with extra sauce; that can cover up the smell. Maybe that's why you had an upset stomach."

"Of course, such well-equipped restaurants, besides needing connections, are relatively expensive. Normally, I can only afford to come here once a month. But since I just got back today, let's consider it a celebration."

Bruce listened to Selena while continuously enjoying the meal. Selena ate delicately and said, "I think you might be underestimating the people in the slums. Don't we know we're exploited by the rich every day? If that's the case, why can't we take a bit more from them?"

"Thanks to their high consumption," Selena said, folding her hands together, "I hope they waste a bit more every day. It would be great if they only took a bite of the steak, and all their rice and flour bags were infested with worms. Oh, you don't need to pray for that; even if the rice and flour bags aren't infested, the warehouse manager will make sure they are. They won't miss that bit of food anyway."

Bruce, eating his meal, thought. If this were in the past, he would have criticized Selena for stealing. It was against the law.

Selena reached out and touched Bruce's injured face, saying, "You're being too paranoid, dear. You think too highly of yourself and too lowly of us. But in reality, people adapt quite well."

"I was born here and grew up here. I've never thought it's a bad place. You don't have to come here for a month and experience it as an outsider to think we're pitiful. We're doing just fine."

"But those..." Bruce paused and said, "Those who lie in basements waiting to die, relying on drugs to ease their pain..."

"Such people exist everywhere. Pain is fair to everyone," Selena lowered her eyes, looking at her plate. "If you go to the best hospital in Gotham, you'll find wealthy individuals who have pumped up the dosage of morphine to the maximum, also waiting to die, aren't they?"

"Indeed, our medical conditions are not good. Many people placed in the affluent areas could be saved, many injuries could be treated. However, if everyone is cured, if there are no vacant positions, healthy people will also starve, won't they?"

Bruce was speechless, and Selena looked at him, saying, "People in Gotham have short lives. They either die in accidents or shootouts. But the more people die, the more opportunities for others. You replace the deceased predecessor, and you might also end up dead. Everyone knows this."

"You think too highly of yourself and too lowly of us," Selena's eyelashes, illuminated by a faint light, emitted a golden glow, captivating Bruce. He heard Selena speak with a sigh, "Death is not scary for us; it's the destiny for everyone. From birth to growing up, we've witnessed too many deaths. So, we are stronger than you rich people. We don't like crying at the sickbed, and the person lying on the sickbed doesn't like to hear us cry."

"With this time, why not go have some fun, have a drink? I know you might think it's too frivolous, not taking life seriously at all," Selena lifted her glass to her lips. "But actually, we also feel that you live a bit too seriously, too solemnly."

Selena wiped her mouth with her hand, looking at Bruce. "Actually, I don't want to bring this up, but have you noticed in the East District; it's normal not to have parents."

"Not only is it normal, but it's even considered fortunate. If you open your eyes and find yourself in a house, with no trace of your biological parents, you should quickly thank God."

Although Bruce had adapted to many things, when he heard Selena say this, he still felt absurd. Selena looked at his expression and smiled, saying, "I knew you would be surprised, but what I said is the truth."

"Firstly, if you don't have parents, it means no one will abuse you, no one will exploit you to earn money, and no one will sell you to dirty places."

"If you're in a house rather than on the side of the road or next to a garbage bin, it means your parents should still have a clear mind. As long as you can hold on until someone finds you, you generally won't die."

"And if your mind is also clear, that's incredibly lucky because it means you haven't inherited your parents' addiction to drugs or alcohol, and you won't be born as an addict."

Selena reached out, shrugged, and said, "Sometimes, I wish I didn't have a mother. This way, I wouldn't have to go out and work in the rain to buy cat food for her."

Bruce sat silently in his chair, and Selena reached out again, touching his face, saying, "Sweetheart, it's been over ten years. Even if you're wealthy enough to grieve endlessly without doing anything, if you continue like this, you'll only miss out on more."

"What do you think I haven't done?" Bruce asked.

Selena opened her mouth, hesitated, then showed an awkward expression, saying, "Well... not nothing. You've written quite a few papers, at least..."

"I mean Batman," Bruce stared at Selena, who averted her gaze. However, Bruce persisted, and Selena sighed, saying, "Actually, I don't know what Batman is doing..."

"As far as I know, besides strolling with me, you spend your time standing on rooftops, enjoying the view... Oh, wait! You did do something! You installed a bunch of cameras, dug a hole in the mountains in the suburbs, and successfully overwhelmed yourself with work, unable to finish writing your papers..."

Seeing Bruce's worsening expression, Selena immediately activated her clever little brain, trying to make up for it, "Oh! Wait a minute! I remember now! Commissioner Gordon told me that the red green traffic light at Central Roundabout was modified by your Bat-Signal. It's really bright. Every night, I get startled by it..."

"Well, there's also..." Selena's eyes turned faster and faster, but after more than a minute, she finally spoke, "Some time ago, the newspapers published your information. Someone offered a high price for your photos. If not photos, information about your whereabouts..."

Bruce's eye contact became less friendly, and Selena, shrinking her neck, said, "...Alright, I admit I was a bit tempted. But I know you would get angry, so I didn't do it."

"Oh, don't talk about that. If you're done eating, shall we go for a walk?" Selena began to act cute again because she knew Bruce must be angry.

But unexpectedly, Bruce asked, "How much is my location selling for?"

"Uh..." Selena hesitated and said, "Five US dollars for one piece of information..."

"How much???!"

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 794: A Fatal Joke (Part 21)