Dear Lawyer | Jikook ff

30 - NOC (iii)

Linen wasn't large, but it was divided into different zones based on the different seasonal and temporal calendars. Although Zone 3, which Yaba Island was a part of, did not sound like a primary district, it was actually the capital of the entire Linen system. It was also the most prosperous area. After all, it held holiday resorts famous across the entire universe.

Jimin's only impression of Zone 3 was crowded, very crowded, and extraordinarily, exceedingly crowded.

After exiting the port where the space shuttle was moored, he got caught in a rush of traffic on both the hover and surface roads, as well as in the traffic on the way to Zone 3.

"The roads are jammed again." The taxi driver complained from the front seat. "At this hour, the people on the island would just have had their fill of fun and are all on their way back to Zone 3 or to the port."

To preserve the atmosphere at Yaba Island, its resorts were extremely expensive. Most tourists would thus choose the more economical option of staying in Zone 3, heading to the island in the morning, then returning at night after appreciating the evening view.

This was what caused Zone 3 to be so overcrowded.

"A jam in the morning, a jam in the afternoon, and another jam in the evening; life will be over before you know it." The driver shook his head, saying.

A few case-related electronic pages were laid across Jimin's lap. Without lifting his gaze, he smiled and said, "In traffic jams, seconds pass like hours. To be able to live so many years can also be considered a blessing."

The driver was amused by his quip. "So you say."

He glanced at Jimin in the rearview mirror, asking curiously, "Are you here on holiday alone?"

"Work." Jimin answered concisely.

"You're an office worker?"

The driver sounded a little surprised. At this, Jimin finally raised his eyes, seeming to find the driver's words interesting as he asked, "Do I look very much like a student?"

"Yeah, your features do. But I get a different vibe when I talk to you." The driver cackled, complimenting, "Either way, you're a smart cookie. If you ask me, there can't be a wiser decision than picking a man-operated taxi here."

God forbid, if it weren't for his status as an intern and having to report his travel expenses, Jimin would surely have chosen an unmanned smart taxi instead.

Because he preferred the car to be quiet, lips zipped shut without anyone talking.

But when he really encountered such a chatty driver, he would still respond with a few words and a hint of laughter in his voice. No one could tell if he was really in the mood for conversation, or if he was just being polite.

"So what if it's a smart car, you'll be caught in this jam all the same. And smart taxis are expensive, it'd be too late to cry after a day in traffic," said the driver. "Except for those on the platinum roads, everyone's gonna be stuck here for a good couple of hours."

Jimin cast his gaze down again, scanning the page as he casually replied, "Even platinum roads can't save us, we still have to cross the intersection ahead."

This time, the driver was genuinely astonished. "How did you know?" 

Platinum roads was actually a very old expression that came about several decades ago when the many transportation systems in galaxies were being upgraded. Transportation lanes, including hover and surface roads, had to be abandoned and rebuilt. Some people with busier schedules were afraid of being caught in traffic jams and started to build additional roads for their private use.