Chapter 144: No One Should Envy Anyone

Double standards have always existed. Since feudal times, people have deeply understood their benefits, especially rulers.

Lynch isn’t yet in a position to apply double standards. In the mayor’s eyes, he’s still too inexperienced. Even if Lynch can build his business as big as he claims, he lacks the authority to use double standards.

Laws like the Minimum Wage Act, Employment Act, and Worker Rights Protection Act— even the most powerful capitalists hesitate to change them. Not because they lack power, but because the costs and consequences are too severe.

Little Lynch wanting to change things made the mayor’s furrowed brow suddenly relax, even brought a faint smile. After all, he’s still young.

He doesn’t truly understand the world yet, doesn’t realize that one must face this seemingly simple world with respect.

But this kind of drive is touching. It reminded the mayor of himself fresh out of school, wanting to change the world. Now, he’s in his forties and still only a mayor.

Maybe he’ll become governor someday, but that’s far from his youthful arrogant dreams.

Everyone has moments like this, but reality teaches how to face the world properly.

Lost in thought, the mayor sipped his wine. The wine had already been aerated, chilled just right in a dry ice bucket, softening its harshness.

A good wine. The mayor raised an eyebrow looking at the bright red wine, no longer feeling the previous aversion.

Such rapid mental shifts are interesting and complicated. He didn’t want to dwell on it and focused elsewhere.

“More importantly, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?” The urge to teach others is innate—sharing knowledge and experience feeds a greater vanity.

It’s instinctive, but it often leads to good outcomes.

Lynch nodded slightly. The mayor continued, “I suggest you donate some money to a university and go back to school…” He paused, then explained, “You need connections. That’s my advice.”

“There are nine top private universities in the federation. They were all founded and funded by a private group called the Saint Harmony Society. If you become a student at any of these nine, you’ll gain access to the federation’s best resources.”

“If you become a candidate for Saint Harmony Society membership—or even a full member,” the mayor smiled oddly, “congratulations—you’ll be classmates with most state governors, top leaders of the three parties, the president, cabinet members, and lifetime justices—all the people who shape society’s direction. You’ll be part of that elite circle.”

The mayor’s feeling came from admiration of Lynch’s youthful drive. He was once like that but has since been worn down by time and reality.

So he wanted to give Lynch some life advice. If he had once humbled himself and chosen a disliked person to enter a Saint Harmony university, maybe he’d be governor by now.

The current governor of their state is about the same age but already holds an important party position—all because he and the Progressive Party’s leader and top officials belong to Saint Harmony.

This is the fast track. People give opportunities to those who share alumni ties and alliance memberships. They won’t give the mayor a chance because he lacks the emblem of those nine universities.

Lynch nodded and took the advice to heart. The conversation then lightened. Lynch dropped his two big troubles, and the mayor stopped lecturing. They began discussing trendy and everyday topics.

“I heard your friends plan to shoot a movie in Sabin City. Have them contact Social Services. They’ll coordinate to smooth the process,” the mayor said, mentioning what the Fox family was doing.

They somehow got a script they liked and, with some money, decided to make it into a film.

Everyone, ordinary or successful, sometimes has the impulse to spend money—as if money burns their hands. Keeping it in a bank feels wrong; spending it brings satisfaction.

Especially the moment of spending—that joy is indescribable.

Lynch hadn’t heard this but played along, “I heard each place offers some filming subsidies?”

That’s normal. In Baylor Federation, most films shoot in two major film cities because of excellent infrastructure and studio facilities.

Also, these cities offer tax exemptions and subsidies, which truly attract filmmakers.

But other cities don’t give up. Especially city officials know a movie draws crowds beyond expectation and improves the city’s cultural image, so subsidies remain.

The mayor pursed his lips, “Sometimes you don’t seem like a twenty-year-old. Your friends aren’t as smart as you.”

He meant the Fox family hadn’t thought to contact Social Services yet, which would get official help and subsidies.

A veteran of over twenty years in society didn’t know this, but a young man just out of college did. Surprising.

The mayor fiddled with a napkin. “You know, society’s not doing well. City finances are tight. Subsidies won’t exceed 100,000, but all public facility fees are waived. Road closures can be negotiated.”

Not much money, but the mayor’s attitude was important.

Filming often requires road closures or clearing buildings. A famous crew once wanted to shoot a highway chase with crashes and explosions.

The local government, citing public safety, denied use of the city ring road and required script safety reapproval.

The crew had no choice but to film in remote abandoned countryside, rebuilding an old road.

Money was secondary; delaying release was the real issue.

The mayor cleared his throat, calmly said, “My little daughter loves movies. She was thrilled to hear about local filming. Think she could visit the set, maybe even appear as a cameo?”

“Why not?”

Over the meal, several issues were settled, two remained unsolved. For the mayor, the dinner was valuable. His relationship with Lynch grew closer, and a thousand jobs were discussed.

Yes, eight hundred became a thousand. Lynch didn’t argue; everyone knows these things are talk—if it could be done, Lynch would do it; if not, it doesn’t matter.

Though neither Lynch nor the mayor mentioned Lynch’s two big troubles again, neither forgot. Maybe someday they’d come up again.

After dinner, Lynch grew curious. Instead of going home, he had the driver take him to where Mr. Fox currently lived.

Entering the room, the artistic atmosphere was clear. A group of cultural types gathered around a table discussing story details. Fox Jr. was involved too.

Lynch’s arrival startled them briefly, but they soon returned to work.

Led by a servant, Lynch went to the open-air terrace upstairs and found old Mr. Fox playing cards with a few elderly men. Few chips lay before him, but all were cheerful.

“Wait a moment, just finishing…” Mr. Fox nodded, and soon the game ended. The old men looked curiously at Lynch, then smiled, settled chips, and left.

Watching them go, Mr. Fox sighed contentedly, standing at the railing and patting the handrail. “This is life.”

He felt emotional, then looked back at Lynch. “Did you see that?”

Lynch nodded. “Of course. We all know Mr. Fox is a cunning old fox, especially when it comes to money. But that’s part of the fun—at least it’s a healthy kind of fun.”

Mr. Fox laughed heartily. “I knew you’d see right through me. Sometimes I envy your parents for having such a smart child like you.”

Lynch wasn’t too bothered. “I think they envy your wealth more, Mr. Fox.”