Chapter 833: Red Hood (Part 1) (Patreon)

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"Have you heard the news? They're planning to renovate our area too!" A child burst into the cellar, waving a newspaper in his hand. "Look, we're in Phase One of the plan!"

Other children gathered around, asking, "Renovate? What do you mean, renovate?"

The child shook open the newspaper and said, "It seems like they're going to build a bridge here, but to do that, they need to transform these buildings into... well, it's like Living Hell, you guys have been there, right? It's the kind where all the houses are inside one big building, connected by corridors, making it tall, and everyone can have their own place!"

"Really? I heard my uncle say that the houses in Living Hell are really expensive because everyone gets their own single room, and some wealthy people even have a living room!"

"If it turns out like that, can we have a room too?" exclaimed a girl excitedly. "And a flyover bridge, will it be like the one next to our street?"

"Come on, that bridge over the stinking ditch. How can it compare to an overpass? If you've been to the city center, you'd know those overpasses there are taller than our buildings here!"

"I really like that place in Living Hell!" a young boy raised his hand. "When I deliver stuff there, the people there are so proud, but it makes sense, they all live in new houses, drink clean water, and there are stores downstairs. Even the kids there are cleaner than us!"

"That's great! If it becomes like that, I'll definitely get a room with a window, the kind where you can see outside. I'll even get a potted plant..."

The children excitedly imagined the future scenes. At that moment, a drowsy voice from a nearby room interrupted them, saying, "What's all the noise about?"

"Oh, Boss, come and see quickly! Look at today's newspaper!" The children immediately gathered around, saying, "Jason, look, our area is going to be renovated!"

Jason struggled to open his eyes; he had stayed up late reading books last night and had only slept for four or five hours. He took the newspaper and saw that it mentioned Phase Two of the Gotham Road Renovation Plan was about to begin, including their street. The renovation included building improvements, and construction was set to begin in three days.

"Boss, you're well-informed. Do you think it will become like Living Hell, where everyone lives in a big building and can buy everything inside, without worrying about rain or street flooding?"

"Can we have rooms with windows too? Maybe four people in one or even six in one room, as long as there's a window, I can have a potted plant..."

Jason's expression gradually became more serious because he not only paid attention to the start of the renovation but also the way it was being carried out.

This time, the renovation was no longer funded jointly by the Gang and Wayne Family. It was led by the government, with Wayne Enterprises providing the funding and overseeing the project from design to construction to completion, with no contribution from the Gang.

Unlike the children, Jason could see more clearly. How much investment would such a massive project require? Had Wayne Enterprises gone mad?

During the last Living Hell renovation, besides Wayne Enterprises, Falcone Family and the government were involved, and even the leaders of the Twelve Families invested. The results were quite satisfactory.

The secondary industries there prospered, providing many services for the logistics industry. As the people there became wealthier, they paid more Protection Fees to rule the Gang in that area.

But this time, Wayne Enterprises would bear the entire cost of the renovation, and the Gang would be able to use the buildings and roads here completely free of charge. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like a sweet deal.

The books Jason had just read told him never to expect capitalists to be charitable, yet here, the city's largest capitalist seemed exceptionally charitable, intending to improve the lives of everyone here without asking for anything in return.

Jason narrowed his eyes, looking cautious. He said in a low voice to all the children, "Stay alert, there may be significant changes ahead. Go, tell those who are wandering outside to come back quickly..."

"Boss! Boss! Something's wrong! Six-Fingered Sister got injured, and the Cookie Sisters brought her back. You need to see this!" a young child rushed in, screaming. Jason's face immediately turned serious.

Jason hurried out and saw the Cookie Sisters bandaging Six-Fingered Sister's arm, the smell of blood filling the air. He approached, looking at Six-Fingered Sister's wound and asked, "What happened? How did this happen?"

"It's nothing, just got into a fight with someone, accidentally got cut," Six-Fingered Sister replied, turning her head away. Then he said, "Have you heard the rumors? With the upcoming renovation, I think we should find a new place."

"Why?" another child raised their voice. "Because of the renovation, we should stay here; we'll get rooms!"

Six-Fingered Sister wore a pained expression as he said, "Have you seen the relocation plan? We might have to leave here to survive..."

Jason turned back, picked up the newspaper he had just set down, and continued reading. He discovered that the relocation plan was unexpectedly generous. All residents here, regardless of whether they had a driver's license, were eligible for a room. The minimum standard for a room was a single room without a kitchen or bathroom but with a window, a minimum of three hours of sunlight per day, and furnished with furniture.

However, if you wanted a better single room, such as a one-bedroom with a kitchen and bathroom, you'd have to pay extra.

Without additional payment, you'd get a basic single room that could barely fit a bed. However, on the same floor as the single rooms, there would be a communal bathroom and an open-air kitchen. But for these children, this was already a vastly superior living condition. After all, they were currently squeezed together in a basement with no windows and occasional drafts and leaks.

As for things like bathrooms and kitchens, they were out of the question. Even the beds in the rooms were made from repurposed wooden crates. On Jason's small bed, there was a salvaged mattress, while others had makeshift bedding, and some even had just a thin bedsheet.

The relocation plan specified that each room would come with a bed, a mattress, a small bedside table, and a potted plant on the room's windowsill. There was even a painting hanging above the bed.

Jason noticed that Wayne Decorations, the company contracted for building renovations and interior design, was responsible for the project. This was the same company that had done renovations for Wayne Grand Hotel, so he knew the quality of materials and craftsmanship would be top-notch.

But Jason's expression grew increasingly grim because, according to Gang rules, these things weren't meant for them.

Just then, there was a loud "bang," and the cellar door was forced open. Several Gang members jumped down, pointing guns at all the children. "Get out! Quickly! Everyone, up to the surface, you're not allowed to stay here anymore!"

The children climbed up, trembling with fear. Once on the surface, they stood against the wall, including Jason.

The lead Gang member said, "You have the afternoon to pack up. You're not allowed to be on our turf anymore. If anyone asks, you've never been here. If anyone asks, say you moved out from somewhere else. Understand?"

Six-Fingered Sister, still nursing her injured arm, bitterly exclaimed, "You're giving us just an afternoon to move, and we can't even take our stuff with us!"

"It's not my call; it's the boss's order. In any case, you must leave by tonight. After all, construction starts in three days. If the rich folks see you begging here, who knows what they'll say!"

The Gang member tapped his finger against the gun barrel and added, "You better be smart about it. We've already been lenient by letting you stay here for so long. Hurry up and get lost!"

After the Gang members left, the children all had pale faces. One of the Cookie Sisters asked, "Why are they suddenly making us leave? Why are they driving us away?"

Six-Fingered Sister, tears in her eyes, crouched down . She said, "Don't you know? The single rooms in Living Hell can rent for up to $10 per week..."

"We have over 20 people here, so we could get over 20 rooms. If we leave, the Gang here could make over $200 extra every week. That's nearly $1,000 extra per month..."

"Just drive us out, rent the rooms we get, and they won't have to do anything for a month, making three times more than before. Everyone knows how prosperous Living Hell is now; this place will be the same..."

Jason tightly clutched the newspaper in his hand and said, "As long as it makes money, they won't care about anything else. They won't care where we go or how we'll survive..."

Jason's arm began to tremble continuously. He took a deep breath and said, "Pack up, get ready to move."

Tears filled the eyes of all the children. There was nothing more heartbreaking than having hope only to have it snatched away.

But Jason had become calmer than before. Six-Fingered Sister looked at him and said, "Jason, you've changed a lot. In the past, you would have been furious and talked about seeking revenge."

"Because recently, I've come to understand something," Jason's tone was eerily calm. He continued, "Just talking won't do any good. No one will be afraid of me just because I yell louder."

He finished speaking and walked toward the cellar entrance. Before descending, he said to Six-Fingered Sister, "This situation will happen again. It won't be just our gang; three major streets nearby will also undergo renovation. That means all the children's gangs will be driven out."

Six-Fingered Sister had a sense of foreboding and asked, "What are you planning, Jason? Jason... don't do anything foolish. We can find another place to live..."

Jason chuckled as he pushed the manhole cover over the cellar. He said, "Go to another place? What if that place gets renovated too?"

"If all of Gotham is gradually transformed into this kind of city, a city that provides shelter for everyone, do you think it will improve our lives?"

"No. Even if those buildings can accommodate everyone, the people with money and guns will still occupy them. Even if the buildings remain empty and we freeze on the streets, they won't let us in."

Jason closed his eyes and said, "In Gotham, we can't rely on anyone's mercy... We no longer need their mercy."

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 834: Red Hood (Part 2)