Chapter 1282: Chapter 4 Wall (Begging for end-of-month votes!)

Inside the church, sunlight streams in through the bright windows around, casting a hazy glow on the murals.

The pews below the pulpit are almost filled with people, leaving only a few sparse gaps.

There are many people, but no one is making noise.

Everyone is either meditating with eyes closed or staring straight ahead, waiting for the pastor to appear. Whether it’s the ragged dock workers or the well-dressed upper-class individuals, at this moment, sitting in the same church, they are equally serene and solemn.

Lin Xian and CC walk down the center aisle, looking for a seat that can accommodate both of them.

He observes the waiting congregation on both sides.

He notices that the people here for the service are not only of different classes and ages… but also of varied nationalities, from all continents.

The Italian men, distinguishable at a glance;

And some notably plainly dressed Irish women;

There are also quite a few people of Asian appearance, though they don’t seem to be from China;

Naturally, being near the docks, African men doing physical labor are also present.

How many of those present came for the free breakfast…? According to CC, only Lin Xian himself, because everyone else came with piety.

Lin Xian, of course, doesn’t believe it, he can only say that CC is too naive.

However.

Since everyone is so quiet.

No one speaks.

Lin Xian naturally doesn’t feel comfortable opening his mouth, silently following behind CC, and the two find a seat at the edge.

They didn’t have to wait for long.

The pastor enters with the choir, walks up to the pulpit, and leads the congregation in singing the “Hymn.”

This is the first step of the worship ceremony, marking the official beginning of Lin Xian’s free meal journey.

Of course, he won’t sing the hymn.

However, fortunately, he’s heard the melody before, so he just opens his mouth without making a sound and puts on an enraptured expression.

While relying on his acting to lip-sync, he turns his head and glances at CC beside him.

CC is singing the “Hymn” with utmost seriousness, earnest and solemn, eyes full of devotion and gratitude, much like a diligent student answering a teacher’s question in class.

Lin Xian blinks.

Feels like…

This CC in front of him, in terms of personality, actually seems more like Chu Anqing than CC.

CC from 600 years later, although kind-hearted and pleasant to be around, was like that after they got acquainted… Prior to that, the impression CC left on Lin Xian was always that of decisiveness, coldness, unapproachability.

Of course, this also relates to her experiences and growth environment, which is understandable.

Looking at the CC from 1952 in front of him.

Although sometimes she can be quite stubborn, in fact, it turns out she’s surprisingly soft-hearted, even when facing someone like him, a “habitual offender” and a “newspaper thief,” she is still willing to lend a hand and bring him, not devout, to the church for a free meal.

In this sense, this CC’s essence is just like Chu Anqing’s–pure, earnest, and kind-hearted.

Having only interacted with the Millennium Stakes CC and Chu Anqing, and given the great difference in personality between the two, Lin Xian never pondered deeper questions about the Millennium Stakes.

But now…

Having watched the videotape of Zhang Yuqian, so reminiscent of Chu Anqing, and personally traveled back to 1952 Brooklyn to meet the First Generation Pillar CC, Lin Xian can’t help but wonder–

[Are the so-called Millennium Stakes girls actually the same girl reincarnated dozens of times; or… are dozens of different girls bearing the same fate, becoming identical in appearance?]

These two statements actually make a big difference.

If, after 1952 CC turns into blue stardust and stakes, and every subsequent Millennium Stakes girl is CC, Zhang Yuqian, and Chu Anqing are actually all CC, just that she loses her memory each time and lives anew in different eras…

That would mean, 1952 First Generation Pillar CC = Zhang Yuqian = Chu Anqing = all the subsequent Millennium Stakes girls = 2624 CC.

They are not just similar in appearance but… they are, in fact, the same person, much like the different worldline Big Face Cat, Gao Wen, except for their names, they are the same person.

And if it’s the second possibility:

After the Millennium Stakes girl stakes, they are utterly dissipated and dead, no longer existing; every Millennium Stakes girl merely happens to look the same, or because of some mysterious power, became identical in appearance…

That would mean, CC Chu Anqing Zhang Yuqian any Millennium Stakes girl; apart from appearance, all Millennium Stakes girls have absolutely no relation whatsoever.

…

Around them, the singing of the “Hymn” fades.

The opening segment of the worship has ended.

Next comes prayer and meditation, the primary part of communicating with God, first in personal free prayer, followed by collective prayer.

So, the time temporarily returns to the individual.

Lin Xian watches CC clasp her hands in front of her chest, close her eyes, and begin her earnest prayer…

As a staunch materialist warrior.

He naturally can’t engage in this part.

Does prayer work?

If prayers really worked… then Gauss’s virus wouldn’t have erupted, he wouldn’t have to leave Yingjun and Yu Xi, and the world-ending white light could be stopped by Jesus with one hand.

Unfortunately.

These are all fantasies; no one and nothing will become benevolent because of sincere prayer.

It all depends on one’s own efforts.

Ultimately, all this has to be forged through relentless struggle and with one’s own hands!

Certainly.

Except… for free corn chowder and bread.

The rumbling of his stomach promptly stops Lin Xian from getting carried away, reminding him that under the eaves one must bow one’s head, the wise submit to circumstances, and the materialism’s ‘material’ refers to ‘food.’