Darkstone Code
Chapter 79 - 0078 Lynch’s Relaxing Moment

Chapter 79: 0078 Lynch’s Relaxing Moment

Just as the young undercover agent Wood was filled with anticipation for a new day, Lynch on the other side drove to the outskirts of a fairly upscale Middle Class neighborhood.

After waiting for about ten minutes, a mature woman with light makeup, carrying a stylish handbag, walked out from the community’s entrance.

Lynch immediately got out of the car and waved to the lady, smiling as he opened the rear door for her.

This was a very gentlemanly gesture. The front passenger seat might offer more intimacy, but such a presumptuous act isn’t always well-received. Until you have full confidence, interactions between men and women are best conducted without creating awkward situations, especially in relatively confined spaces.

"Thank you..." Vera smiled at Lynch as she settled into the car.

That afternoon, Lynch had called her, inviting her out for a meal, to discuss work matters.

Having been in a prolonged cold war with her husband, Vera felt she really needed a break. She even unusually put on makeup.

Women wearing makeup only became popular in the past few years. In the past, in the Federation and globally, women rarely wore makeup. Only women with skills used heavy makeup to conceal their true faces; only they would use perfume to mask the scent of dying hormones emanating from their bodies.

But with the feminist movement’s sweeping victories, the use of cosmetics was completely liberated from prejudice. Of course, some sociologists believe it was a conspiracy by those skilled women.

In the past, people only needed to see their faces or smell their strong fragrance to know what profession they were in, leading these individuals to be naturally discriminated against by society.

Now, people can’t tell them apart anymore; they successfully hide themselves.

However, feminist organizations consider this view to be sensationalism. Beauty and the pursuit of beauty are personal freedoms. Men always see women’s actions as abnormal, which is discrimination against women.

The successes of the feminist movement in recent years indeed changed many things. Some men even started trying makeup, and perfume fully entered people’s lives.

The Federation is a carnivorous society; from morning till night, most people eat meat. Some occasionally eat a bit of vegetables, but overall, meat consumption prevails.

This has resulted in some citizens of the Federation having strong body odors, and apart from frequent bathing, they had few solutions in the past. Now, everyone started using perfume.

Although societal trends are changing, upper-middle-class women, especially those from high society, are not keen on wearing makeup. Many older women still adhere to past traditions today, refraining from wearing makeup or using perfumes.

In certain places and times, people still associate cosmetics, especially lipstick, with intimate products.

Vera wearing light makeup when going out is actually quite a breakthrough. Many women only put on makeup at home to add some spark to their marital relationships, rarely doing so when going out.

Lynch nodded to acknowledge Vera’s gratitude and returned to the driver’s seat, starting the car and driving towards the restaurant he had reserved.

The restaurant wasn’t far from where Vera lived. Residential and commercial areas have always been complementary; no one would invest in building a large luxury mall in the slums of a third-tier city, nor would anyone run a dollar store near a high-end residential area.

After a drive of about ten minutes, the car slowly stopped outside a restaurant. Just as the doorman was about to open the car door for Vera, Lynch smiled and asked from inside, "May I have the honor?"

Vera was slightly surprised but also pleasantly delighted, while the doorman stepped aside with a smile.

Lynch got out of the car, walked to the rear door, opened it, shielding the top of the door frame with one hand and extending the other hand, palm down, with a slightly cupped fist for Vera to hold onto.

Vera thanked Lynch again for his demeanor and gentlemanly behavior, as Lynch offered his right arm, watching her.

Lynch was younger than Vera. Women can be foolish at times and astute at others, and when they’re astute, if necessary, they might deceive themselves. Hence, Vera took Lynch’s gesture as merely a "little brother’s" teasing.

She hooked his arm, a rather intimate gesture, as a sign of appreciation for Lynch’s gentlemanliness.

They entered the restaurant, and Lynch gave his name. The lead manager—well, there are managers everywhere—guided them to their reserved table while Lynch whispered into Vera’s ear.

The whisper, though not loud, had a peculiar scent, enshrouding one’s thoughts in a sticky state. He said, "I heard a small joke outside. Would it upset you?"

Vera shook her head.

Lynch then said with a smile, "Do you know why I stand on your left side?"

She tilted her head slightly, but still shook her head.

"Because this way, I’m closer to your heart..." he couldn’t help but laugh after he said it, making this sweet and ambiguous remark really seem like a joke.

It wasn’t abrupt or awkward; rather, it felt relaxed, without diminishing the sentiment the words conveyed.

Vera laughed along as well, finding it not bad or awkward; she even responded, "The person who taught you that joke must not be a good person."

"I completely agree!"

As they talked, they reached the table, and Lynch pulled out a chair for her. She sat down after thanking him, and the conversation turned less "awkward."

"I recently started a new company and have sent a letter to the firm, which might interrupt your vacation..." Auction houses also need accountants. Although the City Hall gave Lynch some tax relief policies, he still plans to file his taxes diligently.

Since Sabin City’s economic downturn, the City Hall has been encouraging entrepreneurship and urging business owners to take on greater social responsibilities by providing more jobs.

Unfortunately, this approach hasn’t been very effective.

The funds that should have been invested in the real economy have been poured into the financial market, causing further contraction of the real economy. It’s hard enough to maintain existing jobs, let alone create more.

In this context, Lynch was willing to establish a service-oriented company focused on second-hand goods trading and auctions, promising to provide no fewer than twenty jobs initially and no fewer than a hundred in the future. This deeply moved the staff in the social service area.

Feeling Lynch’s sense of responsibility to society and his passionate enthusiasm, the staff voluntarily filled out a form for him and applied for a favorable policy.

His auction company will enjoy half-tax benefits for two years, and for the subsequent two years, if annual profits do not exceed the second-tier tax threshold, they can continue to enjoy tax reductions.

Despite favorable policies, a comprehensive ledger is also necessary. From the start, Lynch never counted on the Tax Bureau letting him off the hook, even though his "relationship is good" with Director Johnson. It’s unlikely they would give him any leeway anyway.

Each step taken is crucial for him now, and he indeed disdains the little gains from tax evasion, nor would he take on greater risks.

A comprehensive ledger and paying taxes aren’t about proving himself flawless, but about not giving his enemies any chance!

To be invincible in the world, one must first strengthen oneself!