Luo Ling and Elaine came to the dwarf community located north of Hewan New District.
The so-called dwarf community is not full of dwarves. On the contrary, at least two-thirds of the residents are still humans. It’s just that the dwarves are scattered here, so it has this common name.
Elaine met up with other students, while Luo Ling walked towards a tube-shaped building.
I went up to the second floor and knocked on a door.
The person who opened the door was a dwarf woman. When she saw that it was Luo Ling who came to visit, she hurriedly bowed and said, "Mr. Luo Ling."
"Paula, there's no need to do this. I've already told you that we don't follow such rules here."
"Yes." The female dwarf was still trembling with fear.
"Where's Sinclair?"
"Ah, it's Lord Luo Ling." Sinclair heard the voice coming out from inside. He was wearing a wide flat work suit specially made for dwarves and holding a big broom in his hand. "The school kids are here to clean the community for us. We can't just stand by and watch. I have asked all the free dwarves to join their work, and I am ready to go too."
"Then let's go together." Luo Ling said.
"you… "
“I have done these things since I was a child.”
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Under the arrangement of the school teachers and the neighborhood committee leaders, Luo Ling and Sinclair were each assigned a contracted area.
"This is such a magical place. I would never have thought that a mid-level wizard would do such a thing. Even a warrior like me would never do such a job anywhere else. If I were in a dwarf village and someone sent me to sweep the floor, I would smash his head." Sinclair swept the floor very quickly, but used his fighting spirit to suppress the rising dust.
"Ha, then why are you here today?" Luo Ling couldn't help laughing when she found what he said interesting.
"My status is different. I was originally just a hunting captain, and I only cared about where to find prey and how to set traps. But now I have all the dwarves in the village behind me. The old village chief handed them over to me, and I can only bite the bullet and take it on. If I want others to obey, I have to set an example. After all, this is your human place, and we have to pay attention to our every move. I don't know why, but I'm quite happy to work with the students." The dwarf said frankly.
"Some people in our place call this a show, which means a performance." Luo Ling swept the floor much slower than Sinclair. She did not use any magic, but just swept in a methodical manner.
"That doesn't sound like a good word. Does it mean doing things for everyone to see?" Sinclair quickly grasped the key point of the word.
"Well, that's about what I mean. However, I think it is necessary to put on a proper show," Luo Ling said.
"I would have thought this was hypocritical before. But now I am the one leading these dwarves. I have put on a show many times."
Luo Ling smiled and said, "It seems that you have made great progress as a leader."
"I can't help it. If I don't take the lead in doing some things, others won't have a role model. When I first arrived, no dwarf was willing to eat at the same table with humans. I could only find Ji Yijun and have him sit with our family to eat. In fact, I don't like eating with that guy at all. He talks too much nonsense.
But I persisted and finished the first meal in front of them, so the next day some dwarves joined me. After three days of this, some dwarves were willing to eat at the same table with other humans. You have to know that most of the time they are worried and afraid, not thinking about anything else. At this time, having a ready-made example is very important. "
Luo Ling was somewhat thankful that the old village chief had found a successor like Sinclair. She then asked, "Do you think dwarves can live well with humans now?"
"Maybe, maybe not. As a hunter, I always have to assume the worst-case scenario. I'm not used to saying yes easily, so I can't just pat my chest and say something about this big thing." Sinclair leaned on his broom, paused and said seriously, "There haven't been any conflicts between humans and dwarves in the days since we moved here. Under the management of your committee, everyone has been humble and restrained. But I don't know what will happen if everything gets worse. When everything is good, all the differences are not a big deal, but when everything gets worse, every difference may become a big deal."
Luo Ling was somewhat surprised by what the dwarf said, but she said: "I agree that changes in the external environment will affect people's views and the way they get along with each other. But this is not the only factor that affects interpersonal relationships.
Some factors drive people apart, but others bring people together. Just like now, humans and dwarves don’t have any deep feelings for each other, and you even have worries and doubts. This is normal. Even you and I have only known each other for more than a month.
"But imagine this." Luo Ling pointed at the human students and dwarves working together. "If these young humans and your dwarven children had always lived together, growing up together, eating the same food, reading the same books, recognizing the same values, and having the same emotional support. Then what would the relationship between them be like? I think they might be like brothers. When faced with difficult situations, they would support each other instead of being hostile to each other."
"It's difficult, even for our own people, the princes and nobles of the Dwarf Empire..."
"Think about it, do they really regard you as compatriots? Do they care about your interests? Do they face difficulties together with you? Do they use their days off to clean the streets and gardens with you? The gap in thinking can divide people into mutually hostile groups more effectively than physical differences. I don't deny that it is difficult for two races to get along, but do you think it will be more difficult than for you to survive in the empire? Will it be more difficult than for you to open up your own secluded place? Dear Sinclair, what you need now is not only superficial cooperation, but also real confidence and motivation."
"Indeed..." Sinclair fell into deep thought.
At this time, a clear female voice rang in his ears: "Uncle Dwarf, are you hungry? We have prepared some snacks. They are the most delicious pastries from Xinghualou. Have a try!"
Sinclair turned around and saw a purple-haired human girl, handing him a beautiful cake.
Sinclair stretched out his hand, but when he was about to touch the cake, he instinctively stopped. However, the girl stuffed the cake into his hand without hesitation. He was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Thank you!"
"You're welcome. Teacher Xiaolian said that we are a family now." The girl gave him a smile, gave Luo Ling another piece of cake, and then skipped away.
Sinclair put the pastry in his mouth and took a bite. It was very sweet.