Shadow Empire

Chapter 1074 The War Is Over

"Lance, let me introduce you to these new friends!" Barbara took Lance's arm and led him to the group of young people.

Barbara certainly has a talent for social interaction that is hard for others to match, and now that she is a big star, her advantage in social situations has become even stronger, which can be seen as the source of her confidence and courage in social interactions.

Lance greeted the young people in front of her with a smile. These young people had come with their parents to broaden their horizons. Today, there were not only some social celebrities and high-ranking officials from China, but also some foreigners.

This is very beneficial for broadening the horizons of these young people, as they may need to face similar situations independently someday in the future.

When that time comes, they won't be stage-frightened because they've been through these things before.

This explains why people from different social classes encounter different things at various stages of their lives, and why they ultimately end up on two completely different paths.

The children of these high-ranking officials and dignitaries are exposed to the most elite education from birth, and the uncles and aunts they associate with are either high-ranking government officials or social celebrities.

The society they come into contact with is the highest level of that society.

With each passing year of growth, the gap between them and the lower rungs of society widens.

This is a process of despair—a process that drives the lowest strata of society to despair.

There's a saying in the Federation: "No nobles can be born in the lower city!"
This statement is absolutely correct. The lower city districts truly cannot produce nobles. They will lag far behind in every stage of development, and these gaps can never be bridged.

While these downtown kids are dating, fighting, skipping classes, and playing pranks in public high schools.

These children from the upper class have begun to attend high-level government parties and events to broaden their horizons and increase their knowledge.

The young people seemed very well-mannered; after all, it's unlikely that they would be people with bad tempers, given that their parents brought them out to broaden their horizons.

They may not be the smartest, but at least they know that in such situations, they should suppress their truest emotions and thoughts.

They all greeted Lance warmly and talked about some of the movies starring Barbara.

"If you are interested in movies, you can go and watch the filming process up close. You might gain some other insights."

The young people seemed somewhat tempted by Lance's proposal. For them, academic studies didn't really have much practical significance. Their education and family background meant that even if they scored zero on all their exams, they would still receive admission invitations from prestigious alliance universities because of their "excellent personal qualities."

So at this stage, being happy is the most important thing.

The young people discussed going to Creek Valley City after the weather got warmer. They also planned to play some cameo roles in the movie. Lance was willing to grant all their requests.

These young people were very sensible; after chatting with Lance and Barbara for a while, they took their leave and left their side, not wanting to take up too much of their time.

After the young people left, Barbara looked at Blue's profile and asked, "Is something on your mind?"

Lance shook his head. "What could be on my mind?"

Barbara reached out and stroked his cheek. "I can tell you're very unhappy right now."

Lance looked at her with some surprise. "Are you a psychic?"

"You can still guess what I'm thinking?"

Barbara smiled proudly. "Because I've taken acting classes... What kind of look is that?"

Lance even arranged for Barbara to have an acting teacher, all so that she could have a smoother career in the film industry.

As everyone has seen, her performance wasn't particularly good, but it was at least a passing grade, and in some of her strengths, she even managed to get a high score of 80.

All of this is directly related to her talent and hard work.

“When my acting teacher talked to me about changes in facial expressions, he taught me how to use subtle expressions to convey my inner world, as well as my eyes.”

"He had me observe the changes in facial expressions of many people when their emotions changed. At first, I couldn't tell, even though those people seemed very calm."

“I couldn’t see any change in their emotions from their faces, expressions, or eyes.”

"But after studying it more, I gradually realized that even if someone looks like they have no expression at all, there are actually some differences."

"The corners of your mouth are slightly downturned, which is different from when you left. When you left, they were upturned, which means you are feeling a bit down right now."

"So... is there anything I can help you with?"

Lance was somewhat surprised. "Your observations are very keen. It seems you are truly talented. Perhaps you will become one of the most outstanding actresses in the Federation."

Barbara's face was full of smiles after being praised. "I hope this day will really come. They always say that I was the first Best Actress because..." She glanced at Lance, and although she didn't say exactly why, Lance could read the unspoken words.

"You will succeed. You work harder and are more talented than anyone else. There is no reason why you shouldn't succeed."

Barbara nodded and said, "I have no doubt about it!"

She paused, then asked, "So, how do you feel?"

Lance then chuckled twice. "Don't worry about that, I'm fine, it doesn't affect me."

“This party is also an opportunity for you. If there are people you want to meet, we can go over there.”

Barbara was immediately intrigued. There were indeed some people she wanted to get to know, but she had no reason to greet them just now, since she was probably the only stranger here.

It seemed that everyone else knew each other and understood each other, so it wouldn't be appropriate for him to rashly walk over and try to join their conversation.

Now that Lance has arrived, some of her previous ideas can be realized.

For the next period of time, Lance took Barbara to talk to some people she wanted to meet, and people were also willing to talk to Lance and chat with his female companion.

The fact that Lance is here today shows that he is no ordinary person. Like everyone else here, he has a powerful background and is one of us.

Since they are of the same kind, there are not so many class barriers. Even if they don't know each other, they can start by having one of them introduce themselves, and that's how they get to know each other.

The party was a great success. These foreign diplomats were the absolute core. Lance didn't really have much to say to them. He just exchanged greetings and then left on his own initiative.

He saw no need to interact with these people; forcing himself on them would only make them feel annoyed, which he disliked, so he spent the entire night on the periphery.

The event ended around 10 p.m., which is considered relatively early for such a large social event, considering they are scheduled to formally sign the ceasefire agreement at the Presidential Palace tomorrow morning, and they need to get some sleep tonight.

Lance also took Barbara back to his manor. He was indeed in a bad mood that night. After finishing some work, he went back to his room, lay on the bed, and thought about some things.

Before he knew it, just as he was drifting off to sleep, it seemed someone pushed open the door.

He reached under the pillow and grabbed the weapon that was there.

In his room, near his bed, there were at least five handguns, as well as some other items, all so that he could retaliate immediately should anyone break in.

Just as he was about to fire, Barbara's voice came from the dimly lit room, "Are you here?"

I can smell your scent!

Lance didn't release the pistol. He turned on the bedside lamp, placed the pistol under the covers, and squinted at Barbara, who was wearing pajamas. "What's wrong with you?"

"Can't sleep?"

"Did you have a nightmare again?"

Barbara looked somewhat flushed. She wasn't carrying any weapons, nor was there anywhere she could carry them. The idea of ​​someone pulling out a few grenades from their crotch is ultimately just a work of art, not something that could actually happen in reality.

Lance carefully put the pistol away and looked at Barbara with some confusion.

Barbara walked to the bedside and sat down. Even as she got closer, Lance could smell the alcohol on her. "You've been drinking?"

Barbara nodded, constantly touching her cheeks, which felt burning hot, and her heart was pounding. "I've had a bit of insomnia. I met so many celebrities tonight, and I even chatted with some of them and exchanged contact information with some of them. I'm so excited!"

"So I want to have a drink. Don't they always say that drinking a little alcohol can help us rest when we can't sleep?"

"But for some reason, I couldn't sleep even more after drinking a little alcohol."

Lance said with a hint of helplessness, "Because alcohol speeds up your blood circulation and makes your heart beat faster, you haven't drunk enough."

"Once you drink more, it will start to affect your nerves, making you drowsy, and eventually you will fall asleep without realizing it."

He meant that drinking a little alcohol could only "enhance the mood," and if you wanted to solve your insomnia problem by drinking, you would have to drink a lot more.

Under the warm light of the bedside lamp, Barbara gazed at Lance's face with a somewhat fascinated look. Actually, she hadn't been so eager before, but after drinking the wine, she started to feel a tingling sensation in her heart.

This itch felt like it was itch deep in your bones, itch in the depths of your soul, to the point that she wanted to stop it but didn't know how.

At least, she couldn't get rid of the itch herself, so she had to come over.

Today was an absolutely eye-opening day for her; in the past, even meeting the mayor was a very difficult thing for her.

But today, she met the president, the secretary of state, some officials from the Department of Defense, and those well-known senators!
Power is not only a male enhancement drug, but also a female one!
A low, hissing sound, which she herself was unaware of, squeezed out of her throat, like a thirsty person instinctively uttering a longing sound upon seeing something they desired.

She stood up, looked at Lance, and then unbuttoned her pajamas.

The nightgown-like garment fell to the ground, completely exposing her body.

At this moment, her body was flushed pink, a healthy color. Lance could also see small goosebumps forming on her skin as she suddenly came into contact with slightly colder air.

At the same time, a strange smell was slowly spreading. She walked up to Lance, hugged his cheeks, and blew a breath into his face, "Fuck me."

Lance stared into her eyes for a while, and after a brief silence, tossed her onto the bed.

She lay there, giggling, as if she had encountered something very happy and joyful.

Soon her laughter turned into singing, sometimes high-pitched, sometimes low and melodious.

I had a wonderful night that words cannot describe.

The next morning, when Lance got up, Barbara was still in bed. She slept the same way as Patricia, always with her legs wrapped around him or pressed against him.

Patricia told him that they often slept together when they were little. After all, there were only two girls of that age on the farm, so it was normal for them to have similar habits in some ways.

Lance moved her legs away, turned around and sat up. He glanced at the time, rubbed his head, and then slowly got up.

By 8:30, when he was already sitting in the restaurant reading the newspaper, Barbara still hadn't come out.

This is a lazy girl, and this is the life she wants: glamorous, vain, in the spotlight, without having to work hard. She has finally gotten what she wanted.

At 10:00 a.m., the three countries officially signed a ceasefire agreement at the Presidential Palace, bringing the entire war to a temporary end.

When the president announced to the entire Union via radio that "the war is over, we have won," countless people screamed, laughed, and threw their hats into the air on the streets outside the presidential palace!

This war brought about too many changes to the world and to this country. People longed for the end of the war and for victory. Fortunately, everything was achieved!
All stocks in the federal government began to surge at this moment. Without a doubt, the dozens of souls lost in Detland a few days ago would be completely forgotten at this moment, because a new "miracle" had arrived!

It wasn't just the Federation that was celebrating this momentous occasion; at least half the world's nations were celebrating the end of the war.

The president also announced a three-day federal holiday starting today as a reward for the people's victory in this war...

Of course, these rewards had nothing to do with Lance, since he didn't need to work in the first place.

Lance originally planned to eat out for lunch, but most restaurants in New Gold City were fully booked for lunch and dinner today.

There was another reason for the people's joy: the end of the war meant that the war tax was also entering its final countdown.

The federal government includes a "war tax" portion in its tax collection, so although federal workers' wages are high now, the portion they actually have disposable income is less than it was before the war.

Before the war, they only had thirty-seven or thirty-eight dollars. After deducting a few dollars or ten dollars for bills, what was left was their disposable income.

But things changed during wartime after the introduction of war taxes.

People's incomes have indeed increased; for example, in places like Jin Gang City, the average wage is now around 55 to 60 yuan.

After deducting taxes and bills, their disposable income is considered relatively high if it is twenty yuan, and many people only have a dozen yuan or so of disposable income.

This is the impact of war taxes.

Now that the war is over and the war tax is about to stop, the tax rate will drop from over 10% to just over 10%. After deducting bills and taxes from 55 dollars, the disposable income should be a little over 40 dollars, which is a huge improvement.

Compared to the past, people's income and consumption levels have improved significantly. After three years of tension, the war has ended and a wave of retaliatory consumption has arrived.

In reality, most families might not go to a restaurant even once every one or two months, only going when there is an important event.

To discuss matters, or to celebrate something.

But now, in order to get revenge on their past self for being reluctant to spend money, they have started to make impulsive purchases.

There is no doubt that the federal economy will continue to rise, which is the benefit of the war; everyone benefits from the war.

The federal government also signed a war reparations agreement with Dantra. They were beaten badly, lost, and still had to pay money. That's how unreasonable war is.

These war reparations, the cession of some interests, and the fact that the Federation contracted a considerable amount of reconstruction work on the ruins of the continent of Tanfield also brought substantial benefits to the federal government.

More importantly, war bonds can be gradually redeemed, which also stimulates consumption.

Everything is moving in the direction of the future.

Lance and Barbara had lunch at the manor. The chef's skills were mediocre. Barbara thought it was alright, but Lance found it rather unappetizing.

This incident also served as a reminder to Lance that his current status and position are vastly different from and elevated compared to the past, and that he needs to start perfecting some details.

He summoned his butler and asked him to find some chefs who had previously cooked for royalty or high-ranking nobles and hire them.

The butler used to work for high-ranking nobles, and he knew many such people.

During the previous civil war in the empire, many nobles were killed, and even the emperor fled from the capital. Many others also escaped from the palace to avoid being killed by the rebel army as members of the royal family.

Many of these people are talented and could be hired to work for us.

Lance might have to entertain other distinguished guests here in the future, and he can't let these guests eat bad food or food made by chefs hired from restaurants. That would be a bit... impolite and low-class.

If he has some chefs who cook for royalty, then when introducing these dishes, he can at least show off his "expertise".

After all, not everyone can find someone who works for the royal family to work for them!
(End of this chapter)