The power of subtle influence is a very scary thing. Originally, when the price of goods in Crossbell City was roughly equivalent to that of the major cities in Erebonia, the working class of Kezhou could still maintain a certain level of income after paying for their daily necessities.
savings.
In some of Crossbell's families, the wives quit their jobs and became stay-at-home mothers after having children. Although having children can get a large government subsidy, compared with the income from their original jobs, it is still
Much inferior, the reason for doing this is because there are not many places for children to play in Kezhou, and the public security environment in Kezhou is difficult to describe. Mothers can only feel more at ease if they have their children by their side.
.
However, with the signing of the Non-War Pact, the subsequent economic development not only caused the rise of high-rise buildings one after another, but also brought some side effects. The influx of a large number of people and funds made the original
Goods on the state market have become in short supply. Take eggs as an example. The price of eggs in Crossbell was originally the same as the Erebonian Empire at 40 Mil per egg (the price of goods), but now it has risen to 60 after half a year.
One milla (zero Bi price). This is a direct increase in the cost of living.
Based on the consumption of one egg per person per day, a family of three would have to spend nearly 2,000 mil more per month than before. And a family of five like the Crawford family would have to spend almost 3,000 mil more.
The impact of rising prices is in all aspects. In addition to eggs, the prices of other things are also rising.
You must know that as the family's breadwinner, Matthew Crawford's monthly income is less than 100,000 mwl as a middle-level manager of the corporate business department of the resort hotel in the newly built theme park Michu Ram Fantasy Land (Mwl) last year.
.
The only thing that has dropped in price is probably the rent for the rental apartments in Belheim. After all, Belheim is an old-fashioned ordinary collective housing, which is a bit out of date compared to many new buildings recently built.
As the eldest daughter of the Crawford family, Yona Crawford occasionally sees her father frowning after get off work every day. But he always shows a smiling face when in front of his family. He never Don't mention these.
The younger brother Ken and the younger sister Nana are still too young. As long as they have enough to eat every day, they don’t care much about prices. But her mother Lena Crawford is very open-minded. The Crawford family has an annual income of millions.
She could be considered a member of the middle class in Crossbell, but Yona didn't think so. She was already fourteen years old and always hoped that she could do something to contribute to the family.
Simply put, it is a matter of self-esteem.
"But I didn't expect anything that could make money. Because of my age, I can't do many part-time jobs... ugh..."
Yuna walked aimlessly up and down the streets of Crossbell alone, from the West Block to the Central Square, from Station Avenue to the sports area, and suddenly stopped in front of a certain sports hall.
.
Crossbell Tennis Center.
She touched her deflated pocket and finally shook her head and turned to leave. The ticket fee for a thousand miles was really a bit high for her.
"Hey, isn't this Yuna? Great, let's go together."
Just when she was about to leave, a voice stopped her. When Yuna came back to her senses, she saw her classmates Xiniya and Eufra coming over.
"Ah, what a coincidence."
The three of them chatted for a while and soon learned that Yona was deterred from the tennis center because of the ticket fee, but they immediately explained to her that it was a fee that only needed to be paid when playing matches. The open-air venue of the tennis center was usually not suitable for
It is free and open to the general public.
"Youna, you are so good, why don't you consider participating in the competition?" Xiniya remembered how she usually played tennis with Yuna in Sunday school. Yuna could not find an opponent despite playing against her peers.
The activity class in Sunday school is a time for the naughty children to exercise.
Qiyao Church's Crossbell Cathedral owns a large open space north of the city. In addition to the public cemetery, the church has also designated an open space for playing tennis on the grassy no-man's land. Not only tennis, but also tennis
A playground for children to play and the like.
"What exactly is the competition?"
"It's the Crossbell Tennis Open."
After listening to Euphora's explanation, Yuna roughly understood what was going on.
Although the formation of tennis has a history of more than a hundred years, the official competition only started this year. This is because no city has built a large venue that can accommodate thousands of people specifically for tennis before. And Clos
The tennis court, one of the seven large venues in the Bell Sports Zone, is currently the only place in the world that can hold super events.
At the Crossbell Games held in February 1203, tennis attracted much attention as one of the eight major sports. Therefore, even after the games ended, it became a place with an endless stream of users.
"By the way, we are still Sunday school students, can we also sign up for the competition?" Yuna thought of this and asked.
"Of course there is no problem. Even in the club, the youngest contestant is only eleven years old. That is Ryoma Echizen from the Kalvard Republic. He is currently ranked seventeenth among all the contestants. Although he is so young
But it’s amazing to say that he is three years younger than us, and I am his fan.” Xiniya’s eyes didn’t look right.
"Ahem, fans..."
Yuna very much doubted whether Xeniya was attracted by his football skills or by Shota. But in front of me, it was better to spare her.
"Hmm, although Yuna is also very powerful, that kid is even more powerful."
"Okay, okay, after all, we are just having fun in our spare time. But...a competition?"
In March, the Tennis Center was only open to members of the Tennis Club of Crossbell, but soon, under pressure, it was opened to major tennis clubs and tennis societies in the Empire and the Republic. It was not until the founding ceremony of Crossbell in early April.
During this period, restrictions were completely lifted, and any club, whether Liberté or Remifilia, could sign up to participate in the competition, and players could even use their own names to participate as free agents at the tennis center.
"You are so well-informed. I didn't hear anything about it in Sunday school last week." Yuna said with emotion.
"Hehe, after all, Crossbell is changing rapidly. It wouldn't be surprising if the nuns and teachers at Sunday school don't know."
As a sports girl, Yuna has no resistance at all to picking up a racket. Although playing in front of the audience is probably a completely different feeling than playing with her classmates, considering that there is a prize money in the game, she will
I suppressed my anxiety, walked into the tennis center with my classmates, and watched the game introduction.
The events held at the Tennis Center are divided into three major events. The first is one of the eight events of the Crossbell Games held in February. This year's part has ended, and the next one will not be held until February next year.
The second is the round robin qualifying tournament, which has been held every day since March. As long as you are a player, you can sign up to participate. However, the opponent of the competition is arranged by the organizer of the tennis center. Whether it is the winner or the loser,
All competitions have prize money, but not everyone can take the stage. Unknown people who want to cheat money will be kicked out directly. The qualifying competition is unilaterally decided by the organizer of the Tennis Center.
Ranking” event.
Finally, there is the Crossbell Tennis Open. This is a tournament that uses a knockout tournament to determine who is the world number one in tennis this year. The winner will be awarded the title of "Celebrity".
"Huh? Since there is already a tennis match during the Great Games, why do we need to hold it again?"
Yuna asked the receptionist at the front desk with some confusion.
"No, it's still different. Because of the tight schedule of the major sports games, many competitions are held in turns or even at the same time. Some very strong athletes have to participate in track and field, weightlifting and swimming, which requires physical exertion or
Due to factors such as insufficient rest, she may not be able to exert her best strength in the tennis match. In fact, in the qualifying match currently being held, Olga, the champion of the Grand Games, lost to players from other clubs more than once. Her
The world ranking has fallen out of the top three. Considering this situation, the higher authorities decided to hold another real competition in the second half of the year."
"So this is ah."
Yona nodded, and after looking over the information in detail, she opened her mouth to ask the lady at the front desk.
"If we want to participate in the competition, are there any procedures required?"
“Join a tennis club or become a member of our tennis center.”
"Ah...I don't have Mira..."
Yuna felt a little nervous, but she quickly put down her worries.
"There is no need to pay to become a member of our tennis center. Anyone can become a member as long as they pass the exam."
"Well, exam?"
"That's right. This is a rule set by our boss. Our boss likes watching tennis matches very much, so players who are interested in playing the game have great benefits. Not only can the indoor training ground be used for free for yourself and your companions, but you can also try it out every day.
You can get supplements from Mila. But in order to avoid cheating, only those who have passed the exam can become members of our tennis center."
After hearing the word "exam", Yuna and her classmates were very interested.
"Xenia and Eufra, do you also sign up?"
"Well, of course. The membership system was only implemented this month. We haven't tried it before. If there is a chance, I really want to play with Xiao Longma."
There are no gender restrictions in Crossbell's tennis competition, so there is no distinction between men's and women's competitions. Only skills speak for themselves on the court. Olga, the champion of the Grand Games, is a woman who looks quite young.
A group of three people were guided to the venue by another blue-haired male receptionist.
There are two exams. As long as you pass both, you can become a member of the Tennis Center.
The first item is the catching ability test. A tennis machine fires 100 balls continuously. As long as you can return more than 60 balls, you will pass.
Although the tennis machine is a new equipment, its ball speed is not fast, or it is not set to be fast. That is, the initial velocity is 1000 Sel moment. (People on earth can serve at 2000 Sel moment per hour)
Xeniya caught 70 balls, Yuvra caught 73 balls, and Yona... caught all 100 balls.
Seeing that all three of them passed the first test, especially after Yuna caught every ball, the blue-haired receptionist's eyes widened.
The next second step is the serving ability test. The receptionist placed a can on the turntable in the training ground. As long as it can be knocked off the turntable to the ground within ten balls, it will be passed. And the moving target in shooting
It's somewhat similar, but serving and shooting require much higher requirements on body balance.
"It's so simple, I can do it too." Xenia picked a racket that she was comfortable with and started to serve directly. However, the first serve, the second serve, the third serve...it wasn't until the tenth serve that she hit the jar.
, however... the jar did not fall.
"Hey, it's true. What's going on?"
Xenia turned around in disbelief, and the receptionist spread his hands.
"In order to prevent the cans from falling easily during rotation, the turntable is made of magnets. In other words... um..." the receptionist explained the principle kindly.
"This is too difficult!"
Next is Eufra. Although she performed well when receiving the ball, her serving level was much worse. After ten balls, she actually failed to hit a single ball.
"It's up to you, Yoona, you are the hope of our whole village."
"Hey, what are these difficult words to say? Anyway, I'll try my best."
Yuna gently bumped the ball with her racket, then charged up a strike... and hit the target directly. However, the iron can that was attracted by the magnetic force did not even sway slightly, and showed no sign of leaving the turntable.
The second ball was served again with great force. This time the jar moved back a little, but it still stayed firmly on the turntable.
The third ball, the fourth ball, the fifth ball... in the blink of an eye, there are nine goals. It seems that there is only the last ball left.
Yuna felt sweat on her forehead, and although the tin can had moved more than half way, it was still a short distance away from the base.
Everyone present held their breath, and Yuna also took three deep breaths, and then used her well-refined serving motion.
The tin can fell downwards, and then... was firmly attracted by the base of the turntable. The mechanism emitting magnetic force seemed to laugh at Yuna's efforts.
"Ah... I still failed. It's not that simple after all." Yuna sighed.
"Well, it's a pity. It's a pity that your strength is still a little bit behind. If you don't have enough strength to catch the opponent's ball, you will be easily injured in official games. When you grow up and you are stronger, here
You are welcome to challenge at any time." The receptionist said with regret, and went back to reset the tin can.
"Isn't this considered a success? Flying away the iron can that is attracted by the magnet. No one can do that kind of thing." Eufra said unconvinced.
"No, Gilbert-kun, let's just say she's qualified. Her skills seem to be much better than yours. Her talent is even better."
Just as the three of them were about to leave, a crisp voice sounded behind them. A purple-haired girl who looked about the same age as the others, or maybe even younger, appeared next to them.
"Ah, boss." The blue-haired young man immediately bowed respectfully. The other party nodded slightly and turned his attention to the three girls.
"By the way, it's not difficult to hit that one. At least it's not difficult for the top 50 official players in the world."
The purple-haired girl took the racket from Eufra's hand, then took out a tennis ball from the frame and swung it without looking.
It was like a loud "boom" sound. Looking at the position of the turntable, the traces of the iron cans had disappeared.
"I was really blown away..." Yuna's classmates all looked at the girl who was smaller than them with incredulous eyes. Only Yuna's eyes were fixed on the position of the turntable.
"No, it's not flying...that's..."
"Oh, you have very good eyesight. By the way, I only used my body's strength just now. The 'other parts' were of no use at all." Of course, I didn't use any fighting spirit at all, I just used it purely.
It only takes 20,000 krims of force to swing the racket. In order to prevent the excessive force from directly shattering the tennis ball, it is necessary to use clever force. The feel of swinging the racket is actually quite similar to that of swinging a sword.
"Kilbat-kun, go and apply for a membership card for this little sister. Oh, and show her the redemption list as well. See if she needs anything and use it from the new member benefits."
After the girl finished speaking, she left the testing site directly. The two starry-eyed people also came to their senses.
"Well, as expected of the owner of the tennis center, she has such a strong aura. I have become a fan of hers...Has she also participated in the competition?" After Xiniya asked the male receptionist, she received a negative reply.
"No, she won't come to participate in the competition. If she does, it will really become a killer tennis game..." The voice of the male receptionist became softer and softer, so soft that others could hardly hear it.
He then looked at Yuna and extended his hand to her.
"Then Miss Yuna, please come with me. As the sixth member of our tennis center, you can enjoy the following series of benefits..."
He led Yuna and her classmates and began to introduce the business in a fluent manner. At the same time, he did not forget to show Yuna the exchange list that his boss had just mentioned.