HLM -Chapter 1144 The Passage of Life

The hardworking little birds get the worms.

Sunset Town had been under constant construction, yielding results almost every moment.

After the second batch of books arrived, the second phase of the square’s construction was nearly complete.

With this, the completed square became even larger, easily accommodating tens of thousands of people for a party. Moreover, the art building designed by the famous Australian artist Oladi Bilnius was finally revealed in its true form.

The first time Wang Bo went to see it, the north side of the square was filled with a network of thick iron rods. At that time, countless iron rods twisted and rolled into what looked like the framework of a pipeline. Wang Bo thought the artist was trying to create a giant python.

It turned out he was wrong. Everyone was wrong. Oladi had attached wooden panels to these support frames and constructed a winding above-ground passage resembling a snake.

The passage covered tens of thousands of square meters, with wooden pathways crisscrossing and forming a maze inside.

When it was completed, Wang Bo brought his subordinates to see it. Seeing the towering wooden passageways, they were all amazed.

“I bet this artist used to work as a sewer designer or a sewer worker before becoming an artist,” Atulu said confidently.

Wang Bo was speechless. “What are you talking about? Sewer work? Becoming a monk? Nonsense. This is called the Passage of Life!”

“Why is it called the Passage of Life?” Uncle Bing asked, puzzled.

Oladi’s voice sounded. “There are several reasons. First, have you noticed what these passages resemble?”

Wang Bo and the others frowned in thought, then shook their heads. They couldn’t see it.

Oladi smiled. “It’s normal. Perhaps from an aerial view it’s clearer. The design follows the direction of the female fallopian tubes and the male seminiferous tubules. When they intertwine, life is created.”

Atulu exclaimed in surprise, “Really? Damn, buddy… isn’t that a bit naughty?”

“It’s called art!” Juan nudged him with his elbow, signaling him to stop talking nonsense.

Atulu looked at Oladi with admiration. “I want to learn art too. Back when I was hanging around the streets, if I mentioned anything like this, people would call me a hooligan.”

“You are a hooligan. Enough. Shut up and listen to Mr. Oladi’s explanation,” Wang Bo said.

Oladi smiled faintly. “Secondly, another reason: these passages are made from discarded steel bars, wood, wire, and so on. Doesn’t that give them new life?”

Wang Bo rubbed his chin. “It does. But it seems you used a lot of wood, huh?”

Oladi sighed. “Yes. We needed so many wooden panels. If some Douglas fir hadn’t later been transported down from the mountains, we probably wouldn’t have had enough.”

Wang Bo shivered. “The Douglas fir brought down from the mountains… all turned into panels for this?”

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

Wang Bo sighed, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

Damn, so this is what an artist is?! Using “waste materials” — the Douglas fir he had painstakingly transported down from the mountains after illegal loggers cut them was meant for building houses. These were massive trees, each the width of a person’s embrace!

But considering Oladi voluntarily helped Sunset Town with this project, Wang Bo couldn’t blame him.

Entering the Passage of Life, Wang Bo expected it to be stuffy. To his surprise, the air was fresh, and occasional breezes blew through, which amazed him.

Oladi smiled. “It’s nothing. Anyone who has studied aerodynamics can use wind direction and flow effectively—it’s not difficult.”

Juan shot Atulu a sideways glance. “Do you understand aerodynamics?”

Atulu smiled awkwardly. “Globally, you probably won’t find a single Maori who understands this.”

“Then you still want to be an artist?” Juan said.

Atulu sighed. “Forget it, I’ll stay a police officer.”

The wooden panels inside and outside the passage were reinforced and coated with paint. The opening was delayed to let the paint’s smell dissipate. Additionally, the bottom of the passage was reinforced to prevent boards from cracking underfoot.

Overall, Wang Bo thought it was excellent: beautiful, valuable, and practical. If they locked the entrance, it could even be a ticketed attraction.

After taking over the Passage of Life, Wang Bo collected Oladi’s design drawings and tools used during construction and placed them in the newly opened Sunset Town Museum, giving Oladi a dedicated commemorative room.

Oladi felt slightly embarrassed. “I did so little. Is it really appropriate for me to have a separate commemorative room? Perhaps I should think of something else to contribute to Sunset Town.”

Wang Bo was overjoyed. “Now this is a genuine person!”

After work, he went to pick up Eva. When he drove to the school entrance, a few boys on bicycles hurriedly scattered upon seeing him.

Wang Bo was puzzled as he watched their backs.

Eva came out shortly after. After picking her up, Wang Bo asked about the children: “What were they doing here? They weren’t bullying your students, were they?”

Eva asked, “Was it the boy with short brown hair riding a golden bicycle?”

Wang Bo recalled clearly and nodded. “Yes, that’s him.”

Eva smiled. “Don’t worry, darling. They’re just innocent and adorable children, not here to bully anyone.”

Relieved, Wang Bo knew these psychologically troubled children feared being bullied—it would worsen their conditions.

As they drove, he said, “Let’s visit a 4S dealership in Aocheng this weekend. Is there a car you really like? We can get one.”

Eva thought and said, “Honestly, no. How about a motorcycle? I miss riding through the streets of Ukraine.”

Wang Bo refused. “The mountain road to the castle is too steep. Stick with a car. You can get a motorcycle for fun, but for commuting? You need a car.”

Eva said, “Then you can choose. I don’t have a particular preference. Just get a regular car for commuting.”

Chatting all the way back, they returned to the castle. Wang Bo ignored the children that day.

The next day, after work, he went to pick up Eva and again saw a few children lingering at the school entrance. Seeing him, they scattered in a panic.

Wang Bo rubbed his chin. On the third day, he didn’t drive the Aston Martin, but Uncle Bing’s Buick Regal, pretending to be a tourist as he went to the school.