The back of 100 black clothes youngster

The lives of some individuals may not necessarily involve Jiang Hu, but they will certainly be connected to a specific region, like a city. The largest city in the Hexi Province is the capital of Area Eastwood. In this city, aside from the frequently seen drunken men, the majority of people are small-scale merchants engaged in illicit trade. They cautiously hide in the shadows, casting watchful gazes at the police... orphans.

Eastwood used to be the wealthiest and most populous developed mining star in the federal society. Those involved in mining work face significant risks. Despite the invention of automatic crystal ore drilling machines and comprehensive computer control systems, which greatly enhanced safety in the industry, the complex nature of star mineral deposits and the inability to predict geological changes through computation have still claimed the lives of many miners over thousands of years. The children of these miners have become a different kind of presence on the streets of Eastwood.

Without parents, with only a mother, or with both parents, these orphans have different life experiences, shaping their unique psychological states. The federal government covers their basic needs and school fees, but it cannot prevent these children from skipping school every day. Since they are underage and monitored by implanted chips, they are not allowed to drink like the miner uncles. Engaging in black market activities is out of the question for them. Although the government provides rationed food, their lives are devoid of brightness, much like young pigs. They cannot fully consume their abundant hormones, leading to tendencies of violence, callousness, territorial disputes, and more...

The Deputy Director Bao, in a gloomy tone, referred to this group of orphaned children as bastards. These youngsters, before evolving into a criminal syndicate, had various paths to take, and mere imitation did not make them particularly dangerous. However, their status as orphans makes it challenging for the governor's office and the police system to handle them. Especially since the gradual depletion of minerals in Eastwood, this group of orphans had emerged ten years ago due to the last mining accident, which had a significant impact on Area Eastwood...

"We must see Jian Shui'er!"

"Jian Shui'er!"

The sirens blared incessantly. The second police station in Hexi Province, responsible for the Bell Tower Street area, received an angry order from the deputy director to swiftly provide support and isolate over 100 orphans in the middle of the street.

Despite facing police officers armed with nightsticks and shields, the black-clad orphaned youngsters on Bell Tower Street showed no fear. Their clamor continued, although the slogans they held were crooked and faded on the tattered cloth. Perhaps these children were tired?

What was most amusing was that even the youngest orphan seemed to be tired of shouting slogans. Yet, they kept repeating the name "Jian Shui'er" as if it possessed some magical charm. It seemed intentional, as if they were deliberately wearing themselves out...

"Shout louder!" The leader of the orphans grew anxious, staring into the clear eyes of a little child while gripping their ear. When the police surrounded Bell Tower Street, he felt a sense of fear. But... since Xu Le had mentioned that there would be reporters today, that surnamed Bao wouldn't dare to do anything, and he wouldn't dare either. Could Xu Le have made a mistake? Thinking of that name, the orphan leader immediately straightened his back and exhibited a stronger, more indignant expression on his face. He also shouted loudly toward the camera lenses behind the police blockade line, "We must see Channel 23!"

With the grief and indignation of a hundred petitioning youngsters, they resisted against the street and the federal government, demanding to watch television. What an absurd scene...

However, Bao Longtao did not believe this was a farce, nor did he find it absurd. Upon hearing the name "Channel 23" and "Jian Shui'er," he knew that these urchins were playing a game today.

After the governor's office received numerous protest letters, similar to the orphans' demands, stating their desire to watch Channel 23, a soap opera that had been airing for only two months in the Capital Star Circle, Bao Longtao realized that this day was inevitable. In fact, when the governor's office issued the order to temporarily halt the signal reception of all of Hexi Province for the federal 23 channels, the police and relevant authorities received over 1,000 protest letters.

The contents of these protest letters mirrored the orphans' current request: they wanted to watch all 23 channels and, specifically, the ongoing broadcast of Jian Shui'er...

Bao Longtao watched the soap opera called "Pure Metal Surge" and understood how the character Jian Shui'er, playing the role of a battleship colonel commander, could move the hearts of the people. That fine, lovable face resembled a painting, with mild-mannered pale purple hair. Occasionally wearing the standard martial-looking uniform, this petite figure possessed an eye-catching charm. When those narrow, innocent eyes appeared on the screen, it reminded him of his own daughters. They were even more adorable... his own daughter, but just a little more lovable...

Suddenly, Bao Longtao trembled, snapping out of his distraction. He noticed the press woman talking into the camera, and the camera lens focused more on her shoulder, capturing the expressions of these indignant orphans. In the corner of the press woman's eye, there was a trace of a smile, resembling that of a cunning fox.

Could there be a connection between the information department and the production center regarding this situation? Bao Longtao sighed inwardly, feeling depressed. The senior officials at Hexi TV Station were willing to pay a hefty price and employ such absurd reasons to temporarily halt the broadcast of the federal 23 channels, just to protect the viewership ratings of the television station. But who would have thought that the same television station, managed by the subordinate district committee, would frequently stab them in the back?

To those not from Eastwood, they wouldn't understand the significance of television to its people, or what the federal 23 channels meant to them. Such harsh evaluations were similar to what Bao Longtao used to think. Illiterate lives, with soap operas as their only source of entertainment, had already grown numb and accustomed to their monotonous existence. Yet, this did not prevent them from seeking happiness through television, fantasizing about a joyful freedom. To them, this freedom was as essential as basic kitchen necessities—they couldn't live without it.

Jian Shui'er... Deputy Director Bao's callous lips suddenly formed a warm smile. It was unexpected that the orphans who disgusted him at the center of the street were not as hateful as he had imagined. His smile disappeared in an instant.

These detestable orphans had greatly damaged his reputation today. If this news were to spread, highlighting the conflict between the information department and the production center, it would likely make the governor's office or even the committee treat him as the scapegoat.

Bao Longtao narrowed his eyes, and slowly, his gaze shifted to the face of the orphan leader, whose face had reddened. He knew this ruthless 16-year-old urchin was called Elder Brother Wei, but Elder Brother Wei was definitely not as brazen as he appeared on the surface.

Suddenly, Bao's heart skipped a beat. He turned his head, following Elder Brother Wei's gaze, and looked toward the shadows under Bell Tower Street.

But there was nothing there.