HCB Chapter 1 Tenderness in the Slums, Sign-in System
Chapter 1 Tenderness in the Slums, Sign-in System
(Brain storage place!)
This slum on the edge of Italy.
It seems like a forgotten place in the prosperous world.
Even at dusk, which should be a gentle time, the sky here seems to be always shrouded in a thick layer of leaden gray.
The sunlight tried hard to penetrate, but it could only cast mottled light and shadows, unable to drive away the dullness and despair that permeated every inch of the air.
The houses on both sides of the street look like old men who have experienced many vicissitudes of life.
The cracks on the wall are intertwined with the traces of time, and are covered with various graffiti and bullet holes left by the war.
In such a seemingly hopeless environment, in the center of the slums stands an extremely simple church.
It does not have the grandeur of Gothic architecture, nor the complexity and splendor of Baroque style. It is just a small house built with simple materials, but for the residents here, it is a spiritual haven and a beacon of hope.
"Dang Dang Dang~"
The long sound of bells echoed, and a group of children aged five or six skillfully put away the clothes hanging in the yard, while another group hung up the freshly washed clothes.
"Everyone, hurry up. We must wash all the clothes and quilts today."
"Oh, who wet the bed again? What a smell..."
"Clean up the chapel too! Everyone, work harder! We'll have broth tonight!"
"..."
Waves of tender children's voices and the voices of several young nuns were heard.
Everyone was busy, but everyone had a happy smile on their face.
It seemed as if all this busyness was in preparation for a very important day.
"Brother Beichuan is back! Brother Beichuan is back!"
Just as the sun was about to set, a little boy of about eleven or twelve years old walked into the church yard holding a rather simple and shabby "tennis racket" made of wood.
The children also saw him at the first moment and shouted a few words loudly.
Then they gathered around each other.
"Eh? Why is everyone starting the spring cleaning today?"
Beichuan picked up a little baby and asked teasingly with a smile.
Although he looks very young, his eyes have a maturity that does not match his age.
It's like an adult trying to cheer up a child.
But before the children could answer.
"Little Beichuan, come here, I have something to tell you." An old nun with a hunched figure waved at Beichuan at the door of the chapel.
"it is good!"
Beichuan pinched the baby's face, put it on the ground, and walked towards the chapel.
Not long after.
The two of them entered the chapel one after the other.
Beichuan supported the old nun Susan and slowly walked to the first row of chairs in the chapel.
"Little Beichuan, you'll be 11 years old tomorrow, right?"
"Time flies so fast!"
The voice of old sister Susan was like a ray of warm sunshine in spring, gently brushing against Xiao Beichuan's heart.
She is an old nun who has served here for many years. Time has left traces on her face, but there is an eternal light of love shining in her eyes.
Her hands, covered with calluses, seemed unusually gentle at this moment. She gently stroked Xiao Beichuan's head, conveying her silent love.
"Ah."
Beichuan nodded.
"This is for you, little Beichuan's 11th birthday present."
At the same time, he handed the thing tightly wrapped in torn clothes to Beichuan.
"Grandma Susan, this is..."
Beichuan was stunned when he saw what was in front of him.
"I was originally planning to give it to you at midnight on your birthday." After a few seconds of silence, Sister Susan continued softly, "But, I think no matter what the meaning is, gifts should be put to good use."
"Hurry up and open it and take a look. I hope you like it."
The words fell.
Beichuan took it with both hands and slowly unfolded the old clothes wrapped around it.
The next moment, a brand new standard racket came into Beichuan's eyes.
"It's very expensive, isn't it..." After taking a deep breath, Beichuan looked at the old sister Susan seriously, "Is it time for me to leave the church?"
After all, this was the sore of Europe, the largest slum, and he was not the only child in the church.
So generally when the children are about the same age, they are either adopted by someone else or leave here to become self-reliant.
The former is lucky, while the latter is unfortunate.
In fact, he has been in this world for almost 11 years.
It was originally picked up by Sister Susan.
I originally thought that I had just come to a strange world, or even that it was because I drank a counterfeit version of Meng Po soup when I was reincarnated, which left me with memories of my past life.
But it was not until three years ago that a familiar name appeared on a tattered newspaper that was more than a year out of date - professional tennis player, samurai Nanjiro Echizen.
At that time, Beichuan understood that he was not unfamiliar with this world at all!
However, as a time traveler, it has been almost eleven years, and he has not noticed any trace of the golden finger.
Of course, Beichuan did not sit idly by.
Although the current start is not good, he had already started preparing as early as when he saw the name Echizen Nanjiro.
Fortunately, although this place is extremely poor, due to the popularity of tennis and the occasional donation of books to the church, there is no shortage of books on the basics of tennis.
But even so.
For Beichuan, who is in this situation, it is still quite difficult to change everything.
After all, a tennis racket and a tennis ball are definitely quite luxurious and expensive for him at this stage.
The only way out is to be adopted and get out of this chaotic and barren area.
"There was a professional tennis player who wanted to adopt a child who loved tennis, and everyone in the church unanimously voted for you."
"Everyone thinks you shouldn't be in a place like this!"
The old nun Susan looked at Beichuan and explained gently, as if she was worried that Beichuan was unwilling to leave.
"......"
After a moment's silence, Beichuan nodded heavily.
At the same time, he held the brand new racket in his hand.
It was like an unbreakable decision.
next moment.
A mechanical voice sounded in his mind.
【Ding dong! 】
【Energy conversion completed.】
[Detecting that the host has officially started playing tennis, the sign-in system is automatically activated! ]