Chapter 99: Being a Responsible Good Person

One can discern a person’s character by how they eat alone.

For example, the mayor before Lynch used his knife and fork with simplicity, speed, and force. In two or three cuts, he sliced a piece of beef from the steak, dipped it in sauce, put it in his mouth, and swallowed quickly.

Some people are more meticulous—they cut more times and prolong the process.

There is a saying that if the knife cuts too quickly or roughly, it disrupts the texture of the meat fibers, affecting its taste.

Such people tend to be more emotional and idealistic. The mayor, on the other hand, is a pragmatist who values efficiency, utility, and results.

While Lynch observed silently, the mayor put down his utensils, dabbed his lips with a napkin, sipped his red wine, and said, “Continuing from before, how do you think we can change the current situation?”

They had just discussed isolationism and major international changes. Lynch’s mature perspective easily concealed the fact he was only twenty years old; his dress made him look twenty-four or twenty-five.

Yet in politics, he was still young. Many politicians at twenty-four or twenty-five were still office interns, clueless about domestic and even less about international affairs.

The more the mayor talked with Lynch, the more curious he became about what interesting opinions Lynch would share next. He was eager to hear more.

Lynch put down his knife and fork, wiped sauce from his lips, thought briefly, and said, “If our Progressive Party wins the next government, first we must participate more actively in international society and leverage our advantages. The Baylor Federation may not be the most advanced technologically, but it is among the top, and many countries need our help.”

The mayor nodded without comment. “But have you thought why they would accept us? Why would the international community welcome us?” This was a question some radicals in Baylor society were currently pondering.

Because of the Conservative Party, Baylor had closed its doors. Now suddenly it opened again and wanted a leading role in international affairs. Why should others accept that and let us lead?

The Progressive Party leadership had many plans; whether they could implement or succeed was yet to be seen. But having a plan was reassuring.

The mayor knew this and asked to see if Lynch’s ideas aligned with the party leadership.

Lynch smiled slightly, “Responsibility, Mayor. If we take on more international responsibilities and let more countries see Baylor Federation as willing to bear them, then we will gain more influence.”

The mayor nodded again, contemplating Lynch’s words and their deeper meaning, then asked with a bigger smile, “Where do you think we should start taking these responsibilities?”

“Start with humanitarian international aid!”

This promised to be a very meaningful lunch. First, the mayor and Lynch had highly aligned views, laying a foundation for the mayor’s upcoming achievements.

Second, Lynch’s remarks about Baylor and international relations inspired the mayor greatly. He would organize these materials and submit them to the Progressive Party leadership for discussion on their potential value and usability.

If adopted, it would be Lynch’s achievement—whether as a talent brought into the party or from his selfless contributions, he would have earned credit.

If not, it was no fault; as long as he avoided publicly speaking against the party, speaking out was never a crime.

This meal marked the start of changes, and Lynch gained a new identity—as a member of the Progressive Party.

On the way back, Ferrell drove while glancing through the rearview mirror at Lynch in the backseat, his expression odd.

When they left, the mayor specially instructed Ferrell to drive Lynch back—such treatment was rare, reserved for big shots or important guests. Ferrell hadn’t expected someone so young to receive it.

Some jealousy followed, but it soon faded. As long as he maintained a proper friendship with Lynch, when the mayor rose, Ferrell might be nominated to run for mayor of Sabin City.

If he chose that path, he would need financial backers behind him; candidates without money remain just candidates.

He cleared his throat and asked, “Do you have any difficulties with your auction event? For example, the venue?”

The warehouse’s open lot was large enough but the environment poor. Without the mayor’s backing, holding it there—even in a restroom—would raise no complaints.

But now that the mayor was involved, holding it in the warehouse lot was inappropriate.

Lynch nodded and continued, “I do have new ideas. I want to use Sabin City’s stadium, but the paperwork might be tricky.”

Special venues serve special purposes. Sabin’s stadium wasn’t funded by regular government budgets; the state believed Sabin didn’t need a good stadium because it had no professional sports teams.

No professional teams, no need for a professional stadium. Yet the city government had other ideas. Through contributions from capitalists and the public, the stadium was built.

Years ago, a local businessman formed a football team, but it folded due to various reasons. The stadium became a recreational spot, partly abandoned; the turf hadn’t been replaced for over a year.

Even so, repurposing the stadium, even for half or a full day, would face strong resistance. An individual application would be impossible.

Ferrell thought for a moment, “That’s a good place, but you’ll need to… pay off some people to keep them quiet.”

Lynch nodded, “You know money isn’t a problem for me.”

Ferrell smiled cleverly, “Then it’s no problem!”

If the auction event shocked Sabin City and even the entire state with its transaction volume, Lynch’s profit-sharing with salespeople became the second explosive point.

According to some evening papers, some had earned as much as eight thousand Sol commission. In the current economic downturn, this news exploded like a bomb among people.

Lynch’s office phones instantly flooded with calls from people wanting to know how to become sales agents for the company. To them, being an agent for the Interstellar Trading Company meant easy money.