Big Capitalist

Jeff's shouts echoed in the backyard, and the sound of Alicia's whipping made the surrounding children quiet down for a moment, watching this "education" intently.

Merlin couldn't help but laugh. Although the scene was a little funny, he knew that Alicia's heart was full of love and worry.

“Why are you hanging out with the Thieves Guild?” Alicia asked angrily, her voice filled with helplessness and anxiety. “Don’t you know how dangerous that is?”

"But they have gold coins!" Jeff mustered up his courage. Although he was ashamed, he still said firmly, "We also want to have money so that the orphanage can live better. Recently, the food in the orphanage has become less and less. Even we can't eat enough. How can we let our brothers and sisters live well?"

Merlin felt a tightness in his heart when he heard this, and the others also felt uncomfortable. When Alicia heard Jeff say this, she stopped spanking.

Both Alicia and Shirley knew that the orphanage was indeed facing a financial crisis. The funding of the Church of Light was not continuous, especially in the lower class areas. Living conditions were already difficult and many people were struggling to make ends meet. Jeff's concerns were not groundless.

"Do you think stealing can solve the problem?" Alicia's voice trembled. "For a few gold coins, the consequence may be that you lose your freedom or even your life! You should know that true courage is not to steal, but to change the status quo through hard work."

"But no one taught us how to do this!" Jeff's voice was filled with despair. "We just want the orphanage to be less poor! If things continue like this, the orphanage might close down and everyone will have no place to live!"

The children around him nodded one after another, with worried expressions on their faces. Merlin was shocked, and he realized that the difficulties faced by the orphanage were much more serious than he had imagined. The helplessness and longing of the children made him feel heartbroken, and he knew that Alicia's efforts alone were not enough.

Alicia took a deep breath, squatted down, and said seriously to Jeff and the other children, "The issue of the orphanage's funding is not something you kids should worry about. I have found a way, and there will be a sum of money injected soon."

"Really?" Jeff looked up and questioned with some disbelief.

Alicia gave Jeff a slap on the head. "Of course it's true. How can I let you go hungry? Go and clean up and wash your hands. Dinner will be served soon."

When they heard that dinner was about to start, the children became excited, wondering what the communion would be today. They chattered in groups and planned to go to the well to wash their hands.

Jeff looked at Merlin unhappily. He had just seen the money bags in Sister Shirley's hands and knew that Merlin had given the money they wanted to the church, but he still felt that Merlin was not a good person.

Merlin smiled at Jeff's wary eyes, and took out a bunch of Mixue Time middle-level drink coupons from his space ring and handed them to the group of children.

"Yes, this time I'll give you something really good. With these coupons, you can go to the Mixue Time in the middle area to exchange for ice cream, lemonade and other delicious drinks."

Merlin had his parents open a braised food store and a Mixue Time beverage store in the middle-class area of the Arcane City a long time ago, near the tavern. With their magical music, they attracted a large number of residents of the Arcane City.

The ice cream of Mixue Time has become a delicacy among children. Children always gather at the door of Mixue Time, looking forward to tasting the colorful ice cream.

When these children learned that the coupons Merlin gave them could be used to get free ice cream at Mixue Time in the middle area, they showed incredible joy on their faces.

"Brother Merlin, can I really use this small card to exchange for Mixue Time ice cream? I have never eaten ice cream before, but I heard from friends who have eaten it that it is the most delicious thing they have ever eaten." The little girl Rachel looked at Merlin with her eyes sparkling with expectation and a happy smile on her face.

"Of course, Rachel," Merlin replied with a smile, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

Jeff was also very excited to take the Mixue Time ice cream redemption voucher. He naturally knew about ice cream, but one ice cream cost three silver coins, which was a price they could not afford.

"Hmph, don't think we can forgive you just because you give us something like this!" Jeff snorted stubbornly and carefully put the ice cream voucher away.

Merlin saw him happily walk to Jeff's side and squat down, which made Jeff alert, not knowing what Merlin wanted to do.

Merlin put his arm around Jeff's shoulders, leaned against the others, took out a few free bubble tea coupons from his space ring and handed them to him, saying, "What happened before was all a misunderstanding. I'm using these extra-large bubble tea coupons to apologize to you. You should know how expensive the milk tea at Mixue Shiguang is..."

Pearl milk tea! Jeff naturally knew about this "legendary" drink that was popular throughout the Arcane City. He heard that the taste of this pearl milk tea was extremely unique. The rich milky aroma combined with the pearls that could improve the human body made it a delicacy that countless Arcane City residents dreamed of.

Although Jeff usually could only watch other children enjoy the food from a distance, today, he felt excited.

"Is it really possible?" There was a hint of unbelievable excitement in Jeff's voice, and his eyes lit up instantly, almost jumping out of their sockets.

Merlin grinned, "Of course it's true. There are also extra pearl toppings, all free. This pearl milk tea is only delicious if you eat the pearls in big mouthfuls."

Jeff couldn't help swallowing his saliva after listening to Merlin's words. He proudly put away all the exchange coupons Merlin gave him, then snorted and turned his back and said, "Don't think I will forgive you just like this!"

Merlin rubbed his head at his appearance, and Jeff opened Merlin's hand and ran to his friend to share the joy of getting the redemption voucher.

Merlin looked at Jeff's back with an evil smile on his face. "You little bastard, how dare you speak to your Lord Merlin in such a tone? How can I not teach you a lesson?"

Enjoy the delicious bubble milk tea. I hope you don’t have to pull your trouser pockets when you drink it.

Merlin seemed to have seen the scene of these little kids having diarrhea. Of course, the cassava toxins in the bubble tea would not be life-threatening. At most, it would cause diarrhea, even for children. What's more, this was the Church of Light. Any ray of holy light could completely heal them.

To be honest, it is not certain whether these children can have diarrhea. Children who bathe in holy light every day have much better physical fitness than ordinary people.