78: Chapter 63, Greed for money, Lust for life!
78: Chapter 63, Greed for money, Lust for life!
The dinner was primarily meat-based.
On New Star, there were special products such as Snow Beef, unique Sand Worms and camel humps from the desert regions, Ghost Face Fish from the glaciers in the extremely cold areas, and Fire Bird wings….
These were all difficult to come by on the Old Land.
The soup was Phoenix’s favorite, the Star Snail Soup, paired with fresh olives to stew, making it refreshing and sweet.
Of course, there were also two vegetarian dishes, mainly to cater to the tastes of Phoenix and Sheng Xinhua.
The two of them chewed slowly, continuously eating the greens while barely touching the meat dishes.
Tang Fei and Little Fatty, however, did not stand on ceremony.
Even though they were dressed in suits and ties, their eating posture was no different from that on the Old Land.
Even though they had deliberately slowed down the pace….
“A Flying Car isn’t cheap,” said Phoenix, looking at Tang Fei and explaining, “the latest model costs millions of star coins, and even a second-hand one would cost tens to hundreds of millions.”
“Take Phoenix City, for example.
It’s the capital of the Empire, but the average annual income is only about 120,000 star coins…
It’s quite difficult for ordinary people to buy a Flying Car.”
“A university professor like us earns only 300,000 star coins a year…
To buy a Flying Car without eating or drinking, one would have to save for many years,” said Sheng Xinhua helplessly.
“Given the level of technological development on New Star, these cars should already be mass-produced…
Why are they still so expensive?” Tang Fei asked, puzzled.
Phoenix looked at Tang Fei and asked, “Do you like it when you lift your head and see vehicles densely packed above you?”
Tang Fei thought about that scenario and said, “No, I don’t.”
“Besides, having the sky filled with Flying Cars also poses safety risks and is difficult to manage and control…
Therefore, the Empire controls the number of Flying Cars, and one must have certain qualifications to purchase one, like having a Flying Car driving license…”
“I once read in a leisure book that many cities before the great disaster used a lottery system to buy cars…
You had to win a license plate to have the privilege to purchase a new car.
Is it the same logic?”
Phoenix nodded and said, “Somewhat.
Many measures on New Star are modeled on policies and regulations before the great disaster.
In addition, the control over flight routes is quite strict, and you have to pay high air duct fees…”
“Probably many people could afford a Flying Car by squeezing their budget, but the annual air duct fees would be quite a struggle…”
“You have to pay even to fly in the air?”
“Of course, otherwise everyone would just fly up into the sky, right?” Phoenix said with a laugh.
“Rich homes reek of wine and meat…”
Upon seeing the delicious delicacies and fine wine spread on the table and remembering Phoenix’s status, he immediately changed his stance and said, “But I like it.”
A wise man adapts to circumstances, like a Prince Consort.
Tang Fei probably understood the situation.
Given the technology on New Star, the mass production and popularization of Flying Cars could have been achieved long ago.
However, air control and city safety were still prioritized, hence the comprehensive usage of this technology remained restricted.
But for certain special groups, like the Second Prince, these restrictions did not apply…
This was also why there were very few Flying Cars soaring through the sky, ensuring the sky would never be congested.
Therefore, these policies essentially left the sky to themselves and returned the land to the people.
Absolutely no problem.
But thinking about it, it felt somewhat off.
Just stop overthinking.
Phoenix smiled and did not respond to Tang Fei’s critique.
These policies were established and maintained by the entire governmental system of the Empire, not something that can be cancelled by the shouts of two or three people.
“I haven’t had a chance to ask you guys,” Phoenix looked at Tang Fei and Little Fatty and asked, “Where is uncle?
Why didn’t he come with you?
I invited all three of you, and I had even prepared his citizenship quota…”
“He didn’t want to come.” Tang Fei said, “He has too many old flames in Hate Mountain, he couldn’t bear to leave.”
“Of course,” Tang Fei said firmly, “what other reason could there be?”
“He is a man of love and righteousness.” Thinking about Old Man’s usual manner, Phoenix found Tang Fei’s explanation quite plausible and said regretfully, “Uncle helped me a lot back in the Old Land…
I originally wanted to thank him all together, it seems there won’t be a chance this time.”
“But it doesn’t matter, when you want to go back and visit him, just ask about his wishes again.
As long as he’s willing, I’ll always keep his citizenship quota reserved for him, he can come over any time…”
“Thank you, Sister Phoenix.” Little Fatty, who was gnawing on a Fire Bird wing, looked up and thanked her with a smile.
Phoenix then handed him a napkin and said, “Wipe your mouth, don’t dirty your clothes.”
She knew Little Fatty had the habit of wiping his face with his sleeve, but this new outfit would be ruined by such an act, which would be quite a waste….
She turned to Tang Fei and said, “You guys have been traveling for so long, you must be exhausted.
After dinner, I will have someone send you back to rest.
Let me know if you need anything.
Don’t be polite with me.”
She waved over Xiao Huan, a maid serving nearby, who came over with two boxes.
Phoenix handed the boxes to Tang Fei and Little Fatty and said, “This is the Empire’s latest model of cell phone, which can be worn as a watch when not in use.
It can be used for typing, voice commands, video, or even multi-dimensional imaging…
Store my number later, and we can keep in touch anytime.”
Little Fatty reached out to touch the phone, but Tang Fei intercepted him and said, “Open it when we get back, your hands are all greasy…”
Little Fatty smiled naively and went back to eating his meat.
Tang Fei and Little Fatty were sent back in a luxurious car with the Phoenix emblem on the front, but it was not a Flying Car, more like the energy cars that were globally popular before the great disaster.
However, it had a more unique design and more advanced features.
Phoenix had provided them with a small courtyard in a small alley called Qinghe, not far from Phoenix Palace—just a ten-minute drive away.
Tang Fei muttered to himself, apprehensive that this courtyard must have cost a pretty penny.
Phoenix really went all out to welcome the two of them.
After Tang Fei and Little Fatty got out of the car and the driver left, they carried their luggage from the Old Land into the courtyard.
“Brother, we have our own house now,” Little Fatty excitedly ran around in the courtyard.
Tang Fei nodded and said, “We have finally settled down on New Star…”
Yesterday they were refugees from the Old Land; today, they had already become honored guests on New Star.
Such life encounters felt so dreamlike and surreal.
The house was two stories high, with a kitchen, bedroom, and a maid’s room on the first floor.
The second floor had two rooms, a study, and a video room, and even a wine cellar was ready…
Clearly, these amenities were planned when the house was initially built, targeting an audience that was definitely not penniless aliens like Tang Fei and Little Fatty.
Tang Fei looked around and suddenly realized a huge problem.
“What about my Flying Car?”
“Where should I park the Flying Car that the Second Prince forcibly gifted me?
If they deliver the car, I certainly can’t have Little Fatty hold it over his head, right?”
“There’s no garage in this small courtyard, and it’s too small to park in…”
Then he thought again, am I really worrying about this kind of issue now?
I’ve gotten carried away…
“Brother, I’ll live on the first floor; you live on the second floor.
The view is better up there,” Little Fatty said.
Tang Fei nodded and replied, “Okay.”
They dropped their luggage on the ground and then sprawled onto the massive sofa.
On New Star, they didn’t have to worry about acid rain pouring on them, nor about wild beasts attacking; they had enough to eat and wear, could read books, learn cultural knowledge, watch movies, drink coffee…
Life was full of hope, and every bit of effort seemed meaningful.
It was undeniable that Phoenix had changed the life trajectories of him and Little Fatty.
“Brother, Sister Phoenix is really nice.” Little Fatty also thought of these things and remarked emotionally.
“Yes, Phoenix is really nice,” Tang Fei agreed.
“Brother, do you like Sister Phoenix?” Little Fatty asked.
Tang Fei was startled, looked up at Little Fatty, and asked, “Why do you ask that?”
“I like Sister Phoenix.
She’s the kindest and prettiest woman I’ve ever met…” Little Fatty said earnestly.
“She kept passing me tissues today, and I was really touched.”
“Me too,” Tang Fei finally felt relieved.
“Brother, you seemed a bit off today,” Little Fatty remarked.
“It’s been off ever since we entered New Star,” Little Fatty said.
“You’re usually very smart…
but you weren’t as sharp as usual today.”
Little Fatty, having spent countless days with Tang Fei, realized Tang Fei’s behavior was off today, even if he was usually slow to notice.
Whether it was the ‘ignorance’ he showed in front of Chen Fenglei or the ‘greed’ he displayed in front of the two princes, none of it should be his brother’s normal state.
Tang Fei looked at Little Fatty in surprise and asked, “You noticed?”
I felt a bit uncomfortable before, but it suddenly clicked on the way back in the car,” Little Fatty said.
“What did you think of?”
“Brother, are you pretending to be dumb on purpose?” Little Fatty asked.
Tang Fei nodded and replied, “Yes.”
“I knew it.” Little Fatty grinned smugly.
He paused and then said, looking somewhat troubled, “Brother, what if I can’t pretend to be dumb?”
“You don’t have to pretend…” Tang Fei said, “You are genuinely dumb.”
“Brother, how can you say that to someone?”
“I’m just stating the facts.”
“Brother, why do we have to pretend to be dumb?” Little Fatty asked.
Tang Fei sighed deeply, his head sinking into the sofa, and said solemnly, “Little Fatty, remember, in this country, we can only be greedy for money, not lustful.”
“Being greedy for money costs money, being lustful costs your life.”