Novel Full Chapter 144 - Street Food Encounter
At Silvercove City's eastside, roughly 4km north of the dock, a taxi parked on the side of the main road next to the sandy shores of Silvercove Beach, where the Dimensional Rift hung in the distant sky.
At the same time, an extensive safety net was seen offshore in the distant waters.
However, the safety net was not used to keep hostile marine life away from the beach but to stop people from getting close to the Dimensional Rift.
In other words, it was a barrier.
The rumbles of battle could vaguely be heard. Still, compared to the peak of the outbreak two days ago, the ongoing battle against the interdimensional creatures being spawned was considered mild.
At that moment, Albion stepped out of the taxi before flicking a coin to the driver.
"Keep the change."
"But sir, this is not—"
"No, no. No need to thank me," Albion waved his hand nonchalantly as if it was a small matter for him before preparing to head into the shopping district, opposite of the sandy beach and vast sea.
"Please wait, sir!"
The taxi driver quickly put the car in park and got out to chase down Albion with shortness of breath before saying, "What I was trying to say was, you didn't give me enough! You only gave me $2; you are still short $8!"
"What? I'm only short $8? Bruv, don't sweat the details."
"Don't sweat the details?" The taxi driver nearly puked blood before saying with an exasperated tone, "What do you mean don't sweat the details?! That's a whole $8! Are you trying to shortchange me?! This is my livelihood!"
"Sheesh, isn't it only $8? Such a fussy person. Here, take this and leave me alone already." Albion took out a stack of cash from his Ashura Ring and tossed it at the driver.
"T-This…" The taxi driver was stunned.
He had never held so much cash in his life that his eyes practically turned into dollar signs while looking at the stack of $100 notes.
'Why is this person carrying so much cash? Or rather, how is this person carrying so much cash? This has got to be at least a few thousand dollars, right?' The taxi driver was shocked.
In the next moment, the taxi driver immediately stopped Albion from leaving, putting on a genial smile before asking, "How may I address you, sir? Are you looking for a personal driver? Can I be that driver?"
"You can call my Young Master Albion, and no, I am not in need of a personal driver," Albion casually said.
"But you have given me so much money. It's the least I can do. Please let me be your personal driver, Young Master Albion," the taxi driver said.
'What a joke. It would be stupid of me if I do not clutch onto the thighs of such a nouveau riche person,' the taxi driver thought.
"Well, suit yourself." Albion shrugged before saying nonchalantly, "I may or may not ever require your service, though."
"It's fine, it's fine. As long Young Master Albion needs a driver, I'll at least be the first on the list. This is my number. Feel free to call me whenever you need me," the taxi driver said with a humble smile, giving Albion his number.
Albion saved the taxi driver's contacts on his cracked phone under the name 'Some Taxi Dude' before he bid the person farewell.
Inside the shopping district, the place was thriving people and activity.
Being a coastal city, Silvercove City did not have a suburban district in the east like the north, south, and west of it, only an endless body of water.
As such, the eastside district was one of the wealthiest parts of Silvercove City, being second only to the central district.
"The Metti Gang controls such a wealthy section of the city? No wonder they didn't really care about the struggles of the other three gangs. They are quite well off," Albion muttered.
While observing the nearby skyscrapers, Albion's nose suddenly twitched to the pleasant scent of food, causing him to make a detour into an alley before reaching an area filled with street food stalls.
"Come get your Satay Chicken Skewers! Satay Chicken Skewers over here!"
"Meatballs skewers here! Everyone loves a good meatball skewer! Come get some!"
Several enthusiastic food vendors hollered at the crowd with liveliness, using their audible voices to attract potential customers to their food stand, while others relied on the showy display of their live cooking skills to attract the customers.
Regardless of their methods, Albion was drawn to the variety of food.
Like a fish taking the bait, Albion immediately went on a food shopping spree, dropping by every food stand in the area and grabbing each of their specialty.
Within moments, Albion's hands were quickly filled with two dozen small bags filled with many types of meat skewers, dumplings, and sweet pancakes.
Just as Albion thought he was done…
"Crepes over here! Come get your crepes over here! We have many different flavors and toppings!" Another food vendor hollered.
Albion gazed at the food bags in his hands that could feed a whole family before he muttered, "Well, there's always a second stomach for desserts…"
He walked over to the crepe stall shortly after.
"Hello, sir. What can I get you?"
"I'll have a salted caramel crepe, thanks."
"Certainly, it'll only take a moment!"
After a quick exchange with the crepe vendor, the salted caramel crepe was made and hand over before Albion was charged merely $5 for it.
However, the single $100 note was blown away by a soft gust of wind as he was giving it to the crepe vendor.
By chance, it landed in the corner of the alley before getting picked up by a homeless-looking man.
"Ah! I am so sorry! I will retrieve the money and give you the change very shortly, sir!" The crepe vendor apologized before preparing to head out.
However, the homeless-looking man took the initiative to walk over and return the $100 note to the crepe vendor.
"Here, you dropped something."
"Oh, thank you..."
The crepe vendor was surprised, not expecting the person to be so polite. At the same time, Albion smiled slightly before preparing to leave.
"Please wait, sir! Your change!" The crepe vendor said hastily.
However, Albion did not stop and simply waved the crepe vendor off casually, "Just give the changes to that gentleman."