HLM – Chapter 1028 Post Office Opens

If an adult pulled a stunt like this in a relay race, it would definitely spark public controversy.

But with children, people are always more forgiving. They didn’t know about the misunderstanding between Wang Bo and Dale caused by the Chinese language—they only saw it as a sweet moment between two little girls.

The third-leg runner, little Anila, happened to have a father who was a photography enthusiast. He captured the moment when the two innocent girls kissed: Little Dale’s chubby face was determined, while Anila looked dazed. Their expressions formed a sharp contrast—one fierce, one adorably silly…

In the fourth race, another relay, Dale’s team took first place again.

Dale ran with tears in her eyes, waving her hands to wipe them as she ran. When she reached the finish line, she hugged Eva and cried out loudly again.

“Why are you still crying? Aren’t you a big girl now?”

Little Dale sniffled and said, “I’m so happy.”

Anila lingered behind, her delicate porcelain-like face full of shyness. She whispered, “Dale, why did you just kiss me?”

Little Dale, annoyed by the situation, firmly blamed Wang Bo and said sternly, “I kissed you—so what?”

Anila looked a bit wronged. “You kissed me but you’re still scolding me? My mom says whoever kisses me, I have to marry. Are we going to get married?”

Dale couldn’t hold back and tears streamed down her face. “No, no! How can we get married? I’m still little. I don’t want to marry.”

Wang Bo and Eva chuckled beside them, completely entertained by the two innocent girls.

Heiwa (Black Kid) Ron also participated in the races. He ran over enviously. “Dale won four championships?”

Little Dale had competed in six events: one high jump, one long jump, and four running events—winning four of them.

She felt wronged hearing Ron’s comment: “I could have won all of them!”

A little boy standing next to Ron asked eagerly, “Can you tell me your secret to winning? I want to win too, but I can’t!”

Little Dale had a mischievous secret. She said, “You have to kiss someone. Look at me—I kissed Anila, and then I won a lot of championships.”

The boy’s eyes lit up with hope. “Can I kiss you or Anila?”

“I won’t let you!” Dale snapped, but the tears still clung to her eyelashes, making her look extra cute.

Seeing his disappointment, Eva tried to help. “Why don’t you tie a pointed hat to your chest? That way, when you sprint, you can cross the finish line before everyone else.”

The boy thought about it and happily said, “Teacher Eva, that’s a really good idea!”

The sports meet had performance segments, one of which featured someone dressed as a clown wearing a pointed hat. The boy went and tied a hat to his chest.

Wang Bo didn’t pay further attention and chatted with Grand and Eva, discussing education in Sunset Town.

Sunset Town needed a middle school and elementary school to handle educational needs. Many immigrant families had children at the middle school age.

After a while, the boy ran over, hat on his chest, sweaty but ecstatic. “Wow, Teacher Eva! Thank you! You’re amazing! I really won!”

Eva smiled. “That’s because you’re already talented. You should thank yourself for working hard.”

The boy shook his head. “No, really, it’s the hat’s credit. I tied it to my chest, and everyone in my group laughed so hard they fell to the ground. They couldn’t even move!”

Wang Bo: “…”

The boy wasn’t done. Excitedly, he looked at Eva. “Teacher Eva, you are truly a goddess of wisdom and beauty! I’ve decided—I want to pursue you. I want you to be my girlfriend!”

Eva giggled. “I’m afraid that won’t work. I have a fiancé, and we’ll be married soon.”

Hearing this, the boy was sad for a moment but quickly perked up. “It’s okay! You’re not married yet. If you do get married, I’ll secretly be your lover.”

Wang Bo quickly revealed his identity: “Little buddy, the goddess you’re pursuing has a fiancé—that’s me. Do you think it’s appropriate to say that in front of me?”

“Can you pretend you didn’t hear?”

“Alright, I didn’t hear anything,” Wang Bo said with a smile.

The sports meet wasn’t fiercely competitive, but spending time with such pure-hearted kids was enjoyable.

Compared to children from other countries, New Zealand kids were even more innocent. They didn’t have textbooks or the internet—they just played and imagined together every day.

Parents protected them well, keeping them from exposure to chaotic things too early, so many lower-grade children were “silly” in the sweetest way.

After this very fun sports meet, Sunset Town welcomed another milestone—the town finally got a post office.

For most rural towns, opening a post office is routine and unremarkable. But in Sunset Town, the situation was not so simple.

Sunset Town had never had a post office. Its functions had been substituted by other institutions.

Before introducing this, it’s necessary to explain New Zealand’s post office system. In this country, post offices are very important.

In China, post offices mainly handle mail and some banking. In New Zealand, their responsibilities are more complex.

First, the post office’s main function is tax collection.

Anyone working in New Zealand must pay taxes. Those who don’t are considered “illegal workers,” usually illegal immigrants or some lazy international students.

The government strictly cracks down on illegal work: one, to force everyone to pay taxes, since New Zealand’s high welfare system depends on tax revenue; two, illegal work has no protections and causes countless problems every year.

To earn legally, you need a tax number, which requires going to the post office. Even if you download forms online, you still need to submit them through the post office.

Second, the post office is involved in transactions of second-hand goods, like used cars or houses, which require official processing at the post office.

Wang Bo himself bought a used Jeep and an antique car through the post office.

Third, all car-related payments—taxes, fines, and other fees—must be handled through the post office.

Previously, without a post office, many procedures in Sunset Town were cumbersome. For example, applying for a tax number meant traveling to the nearest town with a post office, causing unnecessary hassle.