Chương 5: divination
The daytime corridor remained dimly lit, with only a sliver of sunlight filtering through the windows. Klein hurried down the stairs, eager to step out into the warmth and radiance of the sun.
The early morning air carried a cool breeze, refreshing and invigorating. In certain parts of the streets, the ground was damp, dirty, and cluttered with discarded items. These were the areas where the lower-income class resided, a common sight in densely populated neighborhoods.
"Come and savor our mouthwatering roasted fish!"
"Start your day with a piping hot bowl of fresh oyster soup and feel energized all day!"
"Get some fresh fish from the port, only five pence each!"
Street vendors selling fruits, vegetables, and cooked food shouted enthusiastically, vying for the attention of hurried passersby. Some paused to carefully inspect the goods, while others impatiently waved them off, still searching for employment for the day.
Klein paused in front of "Smyrin's bakery."
The bakery was a cherished establishment owned by Wendy Smyrin, a 70-year-old grandmother with gray hair and a perpetually kind smile. For as long as Klein could remember, she had been selling her delectable bread and pastries at this very spot.
"Oh, dear Klein, where's Benson? Hasn't he returned yet?" Wendy asked, her smile unwavering.
"In a few more days," Klein replied vaguely.
As Wendy handed him a loaf of rye bread, she let out a wistful sigh. "He's such a hardworking young man. I'm sure he'll find himself a wonderful wife."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Smyrin's lips curled into a playful smile. "Well, all is good now. You've already graduated. You're a history graduate from our very own Khoy University~ Oh, you'll soon be making money. You shouldn't be living in the apartment you're in right now. At the very least, you should have a bathroom to call your own."
"Mrs. Smyrin, you seem to be full of energy today," Klein replied with a dry smile.
If Klein were to pass his interview and become a lecturer at Tingen University, his family would indeed move up the social ladder!
In his memories, he had once fantasized about renting a bungalow in the suburbs. It would have five or six rooms, two bathrooms, a large balcony upstairs, two rooms, a dining room, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and an underground storage room on the first floor.
This wasn't just wishful thinking. Even a probationary lecturer at Tingen University would earn a weekly salary of two gold pounds. After the probationary period, the wage would increase to three gold pounds and ten soli. It was worth noting that despite working for many years, Klein's brother, Benson, only earned a weekly salary of one pound and ten soli. Ordinary factory workers didn't even make a pound, or at best, a little more. Rent for a bungalow was around nineteen soli to one pound and eighteen soli.
"This is the difference between earning three to four thousand yuan and earning fourteen to fifteen thousand yuan a month..." Klein muttered.
But all of this was contingent on him passing the interviews at Tingen University or Backlund University.
There weren't many other opportunities. People without connections couldn't get recommendations to become civil servants. And those who studied history had limited job prospects. There wasn't much demand for private consultants from aristocrats, banks, or industrial magnates.
Considering that Klein's knowledge was fragmented and incomplete, he felt awkward and guilty about Mrs. Smyrin's expectations of him.
"No, I've always been this young," Wendy replied playfully.
As she spoke, she packed the sixteen rye bread loaves she had weighed into the brown paper bag that Klein had brought. She extended her right hand and said, "Nine pence."
Each rye bread loaf weighed about half a pound, so slight variations were inevitable.
"Nine pence? Wasn't it eleven pence two days ago?" Klein asked subconsciously.
It had cost 15 pence the month before last.
"You have the people protesting on the streets for the repeal of the Grain Act to thank for that," Wendy explained with a shrug.
Klein nodded, vaguely acknowledging the situation. His memories regarding this were incomplete. All he remembered was that the Grain Act aimed to protect the prices of domestic agricultural products. Once the prices reached a certain level, grain imports from Southern nations like Feynapotter, Masin, and Lenburg were halted.
She gave him three copper pence in change. Tucking them into his trouser pocket, he took the paper bag of bread and headed towards the 'Lettuce and Meat' market across the street. He was working hard to make the mutton stewed with peas that his sister had requested.
At the intersection of Iron Cross Street and Daffodil Street, there was a municipal square. Many tents were set up there, and clowns in peculiar and amusing costumes were handing out flyers.
"There's a circus performance tomorrow night?" Klein glanced at the flyers in the hands of others as he quietly read their contents.
Melissa would definitely enjoy it. But how much was the entrance fee?
With that thought, Klein made his way towards the circus area.
Just as he was about to approach a clown with a red and yellow painted face to inquire about the fee, a hoarse woman's voice interrupted him.
"Would you like to try a divination?" she asked.
Klein turned his head and saw a woman dressed in a long black dress, wearing a pointed hat. Her face was painted in red and yellow, and her eyes had a deep grayish-blue color.
"No," Klein replied, shaking his head. He didn't have any extra money to spend on divination.
The woman chuckled and said, "My tarot divination is very accurate."
"Tarot..." Klein was taken aback by the word.
The pronunciation was almost identical to the tarot cards he knew from Earth!
Tarot cards on Earth were a set of cards used for divination, with each card representing different omens.
Wait... Klein suddenly remembered the origins of tarot divination in this world.
It didn't come from the traditional beliefs or ancient practices. It was actually created by Roselle Gusta, the Consul of the Intis Republic, over 170 years ago.
Roselle also invented the contemporary system of paper-based tarot cards and their various playstyles. There were many familiar styles that Klein recognized, such as Upgrade, Fighting the Landlord, Texas Poker, and Quint...
In addition, the fleets he sent out had discovered a sea route to the Southern Continent through the stormy and turbulent seas, marking the beginning of the colonial era.
Could it be he transmigration?
As Klein pondered the possibility of transmigration, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief. He decided to consult his in-heart system for answers, but all he received was a cold and unhelpful response: [100 heavenly Dao points].
Undeterred, Klein's curiosity about tarot cards grew stronger. He nodded at the woman with the pointed hat and painted face, expressing his interest. "If the price is reasonable, I'll give it a try," he said.
The woman chuckled and replied, "Sir, you're the first one here today, so it's on the house."
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