The boy's sarcastic response rendered Bianca speechless. She had always thought that kids in the mountains were sheltered and innocent. But this boy appeared as cunning as a fox from deep in the hills, with sharp eyes that noticed everything.
Bianca took a deep breath and bravely asked, "Could you please give up your seat for me?"
"What did you say?" The boy frowned.
Bianca lowered her voice and implored, "I know it's not a pleasant request, but can you do me a favor? You won't lose out, either. I can take good care of you when we get to Centrolis!"
"Take care of me?" The boy raised an eyebrow. "With money?"
Bianca smiled, satisfied that her expectations were met. 'Children from the mountains often have no concept of money. It all comes down to that,' she thought.
"Of course!" she declared confidently. "I'll give you a substantial amount, enough for you to live a privileged life in Centrolis!"
"How much is 'substantial'?"
"Um, it's..."
"Do you have ten million?"
The boy's question caught Bianca off guard.
His smile was mocking as he said, "Ten million isn't much for you rich folks, right? You said you'd give me a lot of money. Is ten million too much?"
Bianca didn't expect him to say that, nor did she think there would be such a worldly child from the mountains. Ten million might not be much, but she believed these mountain children had no concept of wealth. They had lived hand-to-mouth for generations, and having a million was like a blessing.
"What's wrong?" The boy approached her, his tone intentionally mocking. "Didn't you want to switch seats with me? Isn't that seat worth this much?"
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