Chapter 228 - Food: The Root Of All Evil?

Grrr~~

The gardener's belly crumbled in despair, as though it was a century ago since he last ate. 

Touching his dry mouth, he couldn't help grunting a bit more. 

He even felt his voice become hoarse and his throat too heavy whenever he swallowed. 

No doubt about it, he overdid it. 

But so what? Even if he didn't have the voice to continue with his escapades, he still wouldn't give up.

Tomorrow, he'll bang his feet and hands against his bed or corner table, giving those bastards no time to rest. 

Hmph!

It serves them right for being mean to him!

(*^*)

.

Step by step, the gardener moved along the dimly lit corridors with the flashlight from his phone illuminating most of the scene. 

The entire building was a staff housing unit.

Whether it was the many guards, gardeners, maids, butlers, or other workers, they all lived in the grand staff mansion, with the top and ranked staff residing in the main building.

What was impressive about the building wasn't its height but its width.

Of course, this went without saying that each sleeping room housed at least 8~12 people in it. 

The building was 4 stories high, with most of its ground floor used for storage rooms instead. 

Whether it was the drapes, beddings, yearly supplies of toilet paper, or even spare door knobs, there were labeled rooms on ground floor to indicate which region kept what. 

So in general, most, if not all of the workers lived on the 2nd floor upwards. 

Of course on the basement level of the building, one could still find quite a few spare sleeping rooms and storage rooms too... As well as the massive laundry compartment that room up the space of a commercial laundry room.

There were no less than 20 washers and 15 massive dryers there. 

That said, the dining room on the ground floor was also huge enough to accolade the many staff around. 

It was said that this estate, as well as the many estates within this city, belonged to the ancients.

.

Over time these estates have been modernized, the key outstanding attributes about them haven't changed much.

The staff dining for one had 4 of the most extended tables one would ever find, spacing from end to end. 

These tables could accommodate not just the entire live-in-staff but also any more recruits that came in at any given time.

And scattered around the walls of the massive dining hall are fridges that blended in perfectly with the wall colors. 

These fridges had stacks of water always in them, as well as a few light juices too. There were also a few condiments and breakfast necessities like Jam or butter too. 

It can be said that though each room had a mini-fridge, those fridges on ground level mainly were there for when one needed water or something during working hours. 

Plus, many who bought food from outdoors could save labels and save their food or sandwiches in these fridges, planning to eat them during lunch. 

The live-in staff only needed to be in the estate during their shifts and before lifts out.

So when they were free, they could leave, go out and pass the time as they chose. 

Indeed. 

Life here was very good for the workers, and the pay was high even if their employer was bleeding his eyes out. 

Even with all this happening, these people needn't worry about not receiving their pay since every prominent family dared not do so. 

Do you know how scandalous such news would be? 

The nouveau-rich Kwo's who just rose up not long ago couldn't pay their laborers? 

Pff!

The Press would have a field day!

.

~Grrrrw~

Listening to his grumbling belly, the gardener subconsciously licked his lips, recalling the scene earlier when he saw someone place their sandwich in the fridge. 

For dinner, the kitchen had given them sandwiches as after deserts and side dishes. 

Of course, some decided to share those sandwiches and eat during their breaks tomorrow instead. 

Heh... 

If he took a few bites, who would have evidence to say that he was the one? 

Look! 

He might as well fill his belly and quench his thirst at the same time!

Like so, the gardener slowly descended the rabbit hole from the 3rd floor, walking through the dark and eerie-feeling hallways with nothing in his mind but thievery. 

However, something caused him to freeze the moment he reached ground level. 

~Sniff. Sniff. 

The gardener flinched and rubbed his nose in disgust after getting a fierce attack from an unknown source. 

What was that mildew burnt smell he got?

The stench was foul and unbeatable, having so many combinations of toy, filth, mold, and all sorts of gut-churning smell concocted in one. 

Augh~

Awful... Just awful!

If not for his rumbling belly, he would long turn back just from the smell alone.

Shaking his nostrils, he continued without a moment to spare, thinking nothing else of it.

However, just when he was about to take a step forward, he heard a sharp swishing noise from behind. 

.

~Wheesh!

Bubuum!

The gardener hunted like a frightened cat, pointing his flashlight at his back with trembling hands. 

"Who's there?"

-Silence-

No one replied. 

Still, the gardener was not at ease. 

A strange wind had long caressed his belly, being him with a deep sense of regret and panic. 

Who?

His hands holding his phone had long become unsteady, chaotically pointing the light up, down, and to every corner of the hallway, trying to understand where that swishing noise had come from. 

Eh?

No one? 

Phew~.

The gardener visibly relaxed.

What was he expecting to show up? 

What day and age was this? Why did his mind think in that absurd direction?

Could it be that he has been too immense in the world of movies lately? 

Shaking his head wryly, planning to continue onwards to the staff dining Hall. 

.... It was just that like the case with many horror movies, he had celebrated too early.