Not bad, the Spectator pathway's ability to self-regulate is still quite strong… Klein praised inwardly, glanced at the golden retriever on the back seat of the bicycle, then looked at the bicycle that was somewhat different from the usual ones on the street, and casually asked:
"Is this a new type of bicycle designed specifically for women?"
"What do you mean 'designed specifically for women'? If you want to ride it, you can ride it too." Audrey replied with a smile. "I just told the people at the bicycle company to consider the needs of different groups. This is their latest design, not yet in mass production, so they let me try it out and give feedback."
"Very good idea." Klein praised with a smile, then asked thoughtfully, "Do you know the owner of the
Audrey's eyes curved slightly as she answered:
"Of course, I am one of the major shareholders of the Backlund Bicycle Company."
Major shareholder… I forgot about that… She finally succeeded… Klein seemed to understand something, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, and he shook his head self-deprecatingly:
"So that's how it is. My imagination still isn't rich enough.
"How does it feel? How was the test ride?"
Audrey held the bicycle handlebars, her eyes moving slightly as she recalled:
"Great, very suitable for women."
Your noble lady, you didn't say that just now… Klein raised an eyebrow but didn't interrupt the girl's words.
Audrey smiled again and continued:
"For me, it can adjust my mood and relieve stress, just like horse riding. But horse riding requires special clothes and going to a racecourse or the outskirts. At home or on the streets, you can't let a horse run freely, so it lacks that necessary feeling. Bicycles don't have that problem. They can go into alleys where carriages can't, and they let me see different sceneries. Just now, when I rode past a house and saw a few blossoms still blooming in their garden, I felt especially happy.
"Hmm, when I meet other cyclists, I'm also very happy. They're living hard with a bit of hope. They're busy and hurried but not numb at all. Well, don't laugh at me. I know you're going to say that those who can afford bicycles are definitely not the lowest level of society. I'm simply happy for them.
"I hope, I hope that one day I can ride my bicycle through every street in Backlund."
Klein listened silently, his mood gradually improving. With Miss Justice's description, he could already see that scene before his eyes—a small change he had brought to this world.
He laughed and said:
"No, I don't mean to refute. It sounds very interesting. This is exactly what I hope to see in Backlund, the more the better.
"I had some doubts about certain things before, but now they seem much fewer."
As he said this, he pointed to the door of 22 Perseverance Street, the Loen Charity Education Fund:
"Let's go inside. It looks like it's going to rain."
"Okay, I'll park the bike." Audrey dismounted the bicycle and pushed it and the golden retriever around the back door.
There was a special bicycle parking spot there, located indoors, safe from the rain—in organizations like the Loen Charity Education Fund, more and more staff who needed to go out frequently were riding bicycles. Of course, no one dared to rely on this mode of transportation to venture deep into the East Borough, where anything could be stolen.
As they neared the back door, the golden retriever
"Audrey, when that Mr. Dantès heard you were one of the major shareholders of the bicycle company, his tone was complicated, but I couldn't figure out the real meaning."
Audrey pursed her lips and chuckled:
"I heard about something. Among those who competed with Hibbert for the bicycle company's shares back then was Mr. Dantès."
"I see!" Susie grinned, happy at the accuracy of her observation.
Inside the Loen Charity Education Fund, Klein waited gentlemanly for Miss Audrey and her Beyonder dog companion to return, and they went upstairs together.
Just then, a staff member approached Audrey and said:
"Councilor Miss, President Portland Momont of Backlund Technical University is waiting for you in the meeting room."
"Why is President Momont here?" Audrey asked with slight surprise.
The staff member first greeted Councilor Dwayne Dantès, then replied:
"He didn't say…"
Before the staff member finished speaking, Portland Momont, tall and ruddy-faced, walked out of the meeting room while tidying his white hair.
He pressed his hand to his chest and bowed:
"Noble Miss Audrey, please forgive my sudden visit."
In Loen, after making acquaintance, one addresses the wife of a noble by her surname, and the unmarried lady by her given name.
"It is my honor." Audrey responded politely.
Portland Momont, a president more focused on academics, dispensed with flattery and pleasantries and said straightforwardly with a smile:
"It's like this: I want to add a mechanical laboratory at the Technical University, aiming to invent and promote all kinds of mechanical creations that are beneficial to industry and daily life. I wonder if you are interested in donating or investing?
"Haha, Dwayne, what do you think? Interested in cooperating? Don't worry, I'll definitely get an appropriation from the Higher Education Committee."
A great idea, but Backlund, and the whole kingdom, might soon fall into a vortex… Klein felt a bit dazed after hearing President Momont's words.
Audrey nodded slightly and said with a smile:
"It sounds interesting, but I need to see more materials. That's being responsible for myself and for you."
"I feel the same way," Klein followed.
Portland Momont laughed heartily…