Chapter 62 Buying Books
“White Pearl Street? What do you want to know about that?”
Frowning as he took a bite of bread, Gregor sat on the sofa and said this after just hearing some rumors from that area before leaving work.
“Well, you see, Gregor, because we girls can’t attend night classes, our grades are usually lower than those of boys.” Dorothy spoke naturally to Gregor, who nodded in agreement after hearing her.
“Hmm… I understand. The current disparity in education between boys and girls is quite common. Saint Amanda is already doing well, which is why I sent you there to study… But what does White Pearl Street have to do with this?”
“I’ve been feeling unsatisfied with the boys always staying ahead of me in grades, so recently I’ve been studying on my own in the school library to keep up.”
“These past few days, I’ve been studying with the books in the library, but I noticed that some sets are incomplete. This has affected my self-study, so during the break, I went to the bookstore in town to look for those missing books to buy and complete them. Unfortunately, the books in the school library are old, while the ones sold at the bookstore are new, so I couldn’t find them.”
“Then I asked some teachers at school if they knew where to find those old books, and one of them suggested going to White Pearl Street, saying it’s an old goods market.”
Dorothy explained seriously to Gregor, whose expression became increasingly serious as he listened to her. After taking a sip of milk, he slowly spoke.
“Dorothy, your desire to improve your grades and catch up with the boys is admirable, and I’m glad you have such ambition. However, I must warn you not to go to White Pearl Street.”
“Don’t go to White Pearl Street? Why? Isn’t it an old goods market?”
After hearing Gregor’s words, Dorothy tilted her head slightly, speaking in puzzlement. Gregor responded with a stern voice.
“It’s not just an old goods market; it’s also a gathering place for countless people who dream of getting rich quickly. It’s a street full of loan sharks who will eat you alive, and there are many gangs there… In short, the security situation there is not good. It’s unsafe for a girl like you to go there. It’s better not to go.”
Gregor warned her, while Dorothy inwardly complained that she had already stayed there for four days.
“Oh… Then I won’t go…”
Listening to Gregor, Dorothy continued with a disappointed expression and tone.
“What a pity. Without those books, it would be hard for me to study and surpass those boys…”
Seeing his sister’s despondent expression sitting on the sofa drinking milk, Gregor felt a pang of guilt. After putting down his cup and thinking for a moment, he made a firm decision and spoke.
“Alright, this weekend I should have half a day off. At that time, I’ll take you to White Pearl Street. With me accompanying you, everything will be fine.”
“Oh, really? Thank you so much, Gregor!”
Hearing Gregor’s words, Dorothy’s expression immediately brightened. Gregor smiled and said.
“You’re welcome. Who else but your brother would do this?”
“Okay, then I’ll go to school now. Goodbye.”
“Take care.”
After finishing the last piece of bread, Dorothy left the living room. Even after closing the door, a faint smile still lingered on her lips.
…
In Igewent, on a certain street during the day.
On the weekend, Dorothy and Gregor came out of a restaurant, both in casual clothes. Dorothy was wiping her mouth with a napkin, while Gregor stood beside her and asked.
“How did you find the taste here?”
“Not bad. Now that we’re full, let’s go to our destination.”
“Of course…”
As he spoke, Gregor walked to the side of the road and stopped a carriage. They both got in and rode through the city for a while until they finally arrived at White Pearl Street.
After getting off the carriage, Dorothy glanced around the familiar scene and said.
“This is White Pearl Street? It seems less crowded than other streets, and the items in the stores look very strange.”
“Yes… This is it. Remember to stay close to me and don’t run around, okay?” Looking at the shady figures wandering on the quiet street, Gregor warned her, and Dorothy nodded in response.
“Okay! I got it!”
Then, Dorothy, completely changed in appearance, followed Gregor as they walked down the familiar street. She saw Cory’s pawnshop with its tightly closed doors and a group of people gathered in front of it. Listening closely, one could hear that they were all originally supporters of the Cory gang, arguing loudly about how to divide Cory’s remaining property. The situation seemed tense, with no police in sight.
“Huh… It looks like no one cares where the missing person went. They only care about dividing up what he left behind. Probably didn’t even report it to the police. No wonder those guys could silence him without a word…”
Dorothy thought to herself as she watched the gang members almost ready to start a brawl in front of Cory’s shop. Seeing this, Gregor frowned and urged Dorothy.
“Let’s go find somewhere else. Don’t stay here…”
“Okay…”
Nodding, Dorothy followed Gregor and quickened their pace. Soon, they reached the other end of White Pearl Street.
“Dorothy, the atmosphere here lately hasn’t been right. If we can’t find the books, let’s go back.”
Feeling the subtle tension in the air, Gregor said seriously. Beside him, Dorothy looked around and suddenly pointed forward.
“Ah, there’s an old bookstore over there. Let’s check it out!”
“Old bookstore?”
Hearing Dorothy’s words, Gregor looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a sign on the shop.
“Barnard… Old book collection? Hmm… There really is a place that sells old books. Let’s take a look.”
Then, Dorothy and Gregor walked up to the bookstore. After opening the door, they entered a dimly lit space.
Shelves made of old wooden boards lined the walls, with old books placed on them. Stepping on the floor made a creaking sound. Near the entrance was a counter, behind which a young assistant looked at the incoming siblings with a wary gaze.
“Excuse me, sir. Is this place specifically for selling old books?”
Looking at the wary assistant, Dorothy asked.
