Chapter 1412 - 458: Thanks to Tesheng’s Open Source_2

Chapter 1412: Chapter 458: Thanks to Tesheng’s Open Source_2

"No, no, no, Mr. Lin, I’m fine. I can understand that you’re busy with work."

"Then, Mr. Walt, do you have time now? I want to hold a meeting and invite you to attend."

"Yes, I’m always available!"

Walt was on the verge of tears when he said this.

"That’s great, where are you now? I’ll send a car to pick you up."

"I’m at....."

...

Walt was very surprised because the meeting that Lin Miao mentioned was not at a company’s building or a government office in Detroit, but in a slum, right in a small church not far from Walt, which had been temporarily requisitioned by Lin Miao.

When he got off the car, he saw Lin Miao and Pan’an standing at the church entrance, surrounded by agents from the Efficiency Department and the Intelligence Bureau, with many reporters gathered outside.

There were also many homeless people like himself standing in line for inspection at the entrance.

Walt felt very uneasy in line, as he had no shoes and only had a pair of dirty socks on his feet, with his clothes and pants also filthy; he had no time to tidy up, which completely dashed his plan to leave a good impression on Lin Miao.

When it was his turn, Lin Miao immediately recognized this man who had been on the program.

"Lin...Mr. Lin...I..."

Gurgle—

Before he could speak, his stomach, which hadn’t eaten all day, growled first.

Walt felt hopeless, only resenting his stomach for failing him at such a moment.

But Lin Miao stepped forward, shook his hand, and said with a smile,

"Mr. Walt, you’ve truly given me quite a surprise."

"I...."

He froze for a few seconds, during which Lin Miao pulled him closer and whispered in his ear,

"There’s a changing room inside with clothes and food."

Then, letting go, he patted Walt’s shoulder, indicating that he could go in.

"..."

Walt dared not speak, quickly lowered his head, and walked into the church, fearing that if he walked too slowly, his tears would be exposed.

Walt swore he had never felt this in his life.

This wasn’t about a promotion or a pay raise, nor was it about being valued by superiors.

It was about respect.

Receiving respect from others at his most downtrodden moment.

This was unrelated to status or money; it was pure recognition of dignity.

Even if the other party might be showing off at this moment, it was an irresistible gesture for Walt.

In the changing room, besides Walt, there were many homeless people, and although the food was only some bread and sugared water, it tasted sweeter than any meal they had ever had.

New America isn’t the other side of the United States; there is no aid or relief, and certainly no unemployment benefits here.

Once trapped in homelessness, it basically equates to death.

So laid-off corporate workers mostly turn to gangs, become mercenaries, or rely on their skills to become individual outcasts.

This path is incredibly difficult for someone like Walt from management.

Soon, the church was packed.

Not only were there homeless people summoned by Walt, but also workers called by Todd, Johnson, and others. They sat on the pews, curious about why Lin Miao had called them together.

Their seating arrangements were quite cliquish, and their styles were so distinct that one could easily recognize the differences between them.

Many cameras set up by reporters were around.

After confirming everyone was present, Lin Miao walked to the area beneath the Jesus statue in the church.

"Everyone, I won’t say much, let’s quickly get to the point."

The somewhat noisy church immediately quieted down. They might not all trust Lin Miao, but after all, he was perhaps the first government official willing to be so approachable.

Past government officials coming for showmanship were as hypocritical as could be; once off camera, they didn’t want to touch them, even performing contemptuous actions like administering sedatives to crying babies held by homeless women.

"In recent days, under President Miles’ call, different social classes have raised over five million Orokin in cash for the retired soldiers, with more donations to be received subsequently."

"This is the compensation deserved by Johnson and his comrades, yet because some enterprises wanted to save costs, it was delayed until today, which is truly shameful."

Five million!

Both Johnson in the church and the retired soldiers crouching in front of TVs in Detroit couldn’t help but be moved, clenching their fists in excitement, and their eyes towards Lin Miao were much more fervent.

Then, they heard Lin Miao continue,

"However, we must face a reality: due to government officials’ inefficiency and corruption, they won’t honestly carry out President Miles’ orders. So, this money might never reach the soldiers and will likely be embezzled by them and the corporations midway."

"??? "

Not just the people in the church, but even many Efficiency Department employees were shocked.

Do you know what you’re saying? You can’t say such things in front of so many people!

This is still live broadcast! So many eyes are watching!

Many people knew Horizon Corporation’s people acted lawlessly, but clearly, they hadn’t understood what truly acting without limit meant.

Lin Miao tapped the table.

"So we have to form our own management system, deciding among ourselves where this money should be used, ensuring every penny goes to soldiers who have served the nation."

The crowd began to discuss, but Johnson couldn’t help standing up and asking.

"But what does this have to do with the workers at our Vanadium-Titanium plant? This money won’t benefit us a penny."

"Good question."