Darkstone Code-Chapter 938 - 936: Someone As Outstanding As Me

What are most Federation twenty-somethings doing at this time?

Those young people from ordinary families probably already have a job that might suffice for a lifetime of work, provided there won’t be widespread economic downturns and their companies or factories continue to develop.

Each week, they work six days in the factory, from eight in the morning until seven at night, or from nine thirty in the morning until eight at night, with at least ten-hour working days.

Every night, they come home to eat a cheap dinner, with the only happiness possibly being sinking deep into the sofa after dinner, munching on a giant tub of popcorn that’s saccharinely sweet at ninety-nine cents, and drinking a ten-liter beverage costing only two dollars forty-nine cents.

Then quietly, choosing a favorite show, they smile innocently along with it, until they eventually fall asleep unaware.

They won’t notice the sorrow on their faces, because they sleep so peacefully.

On the last working day, when they leave work, they go to the club organized by the Workers’ Union, eat some free fried chicken, drink some cheap beer, and shout slogans against capitalist exploitation under the lead of the Union representative.

As if the capitalists are really panicking before them, every vigorous fist swing left a more lasting emptiness after these activities.

This makes them yearn more for the weekend when the workers’ club opens, wishing everyone could often be together, so that when the Union representative asks them to do something together, they agree without even thinking.

On the weekend, all work temporarily leaves them, allowing them to sleep until nine or even ten in the morning, then freshening up and having lunch.

After lunch, they can choose to stroll around the nearby park, or date their lovers, spending a romantic few hours—if they aren’t married.

After possibly simple or possibly sumptuous dinners, they part with their lovers, returning home by eight or even nine.

The whole day of the weekend seems to race like light with them, they barely have time to savor it, and the day is over.

Watch a bit of their favorite show, sinking gradually into indulgence amidst what isn’t truly joyful laughter.

The next day, a new week begins, envelopes fill the gap beneath their door; these are last week’s bills requiring payment within no more than two weeks, or they risk water and electricity cutoffs or even eviction from their house.

This is the life of an ordinary, twenty-something young person, extremely oppressive, despairing, with no apparent future.

Perhaps they don’t feel this way themselves, even when capitalists invented a term called "fulfilling" to make them feel satisfied with their life, and even pursue such a life.

But what is Lynch’s life like at twenty-two?

Catherine looped her arm through Lynch’s, bypassing a wall of greenery, suddenly hit face-on by a huge wave of sound like an invisible wall.

In the pool, some pretty girls in revealing attire played with water, watching them enjoy the fun of it, naturally brought smiles to faces.

People dressed as waiters walked back and forth with trays, carrying various drinks and wines.

You take from their tray without paying any fee, and they pause deliberately, expressing the honor of serving you.

Girls, wine, smoke wafting, loud music muffling people’s sorrow, flashing lights conceal indulgent souls.

No burdens, no worries, only joy!

This isn’t where Lynch and Catherine intend to stay, led by the host, they passed through the happiness-filled area to the second-floor terrace of the house by the pool.

Here was furnished more luxuriously; interns from the President’s Mansion gathered here, along with their partners, and even more pretty, quality girls.

"Mr. Lynch..."

As Lynch stepped in, an intern subconsciously addressed him by name, nearly everyone stood up.

This is respect for the strong, a basic etiquette of this society.

It must maintain respect for the strong, a principle unchanged by the social competition mechanism; people gain more power, status, and wealth, not to be despised.

Though "must" isn’t strictly used in such matters, anyone escaping the lower class knows it’s to be done.

Upholding such principles essentially protects their own interests.

Lynch smiled, waving to everyone, introduced by the host and Catherine, Lynch shook hands and listened to their self-introductions.

Everyone here has significant backing, whether a Consortium or political family.

They haven’t had any conflict with Lynch, nor any competitive relationship, instead possibly seeking close cooperation in the future.

Everyone’s enthusiastic, including Lynch, all of which forms a resource.

The media calls him a young leader, do many young people resent it?

Indeed, some young people from the lower echelons of society feel dissatisfied. Why is Lynch a young leader? Who does he lead? Why can he lead?

For young people from Middle Class backgrounds, their thinking is broader and deeper. They think about Lynch’s influence on the entire youth group and whether this phenomenon represents a certain trend.

At a higher level, having access to more societal truths, who can stand up and express their dissatisfaction with Lynch?

No one.

After shaking hands, everyone sat around a coffee table. This platform on the second floor and the downstairs seemed like two different worlds.

Among the people downstairs, some models were sent by agencies to liven things up, while others came after hearing about the opportunity just to join the fun.

Every successful person has some sycophants, which are a necessary presence. Without these sycophants, life would be tiring. With them, life becomes an enjoyment—

Many ignorant and tyrannical Emperors agree with this viewpoint.

"Lynch, Catherine, forgive my intrusion, have you considered what comes next?" The host was given permission by Lynch to call him "Lynch" instead of "Mr. Lynch."

Actually, Lynch didn’t particularly like this form of address. It felt dry. He allowed it only because of Catherine.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t even bother to chat too much with these young people.

The "next steps" mentioned by the host didn’t refer to the romantic aspects between the two, but rather how Catherine would plan ahead.

This can be seen as a test or as an exchange of information.

"I will work with Mrs. Tricia for a while, and then I might go home." Catherine glanced at Lynch, then expressed her plans.

Going home means going back to Sabin City.

For people at their Level, hiding makes no sense. Instead, it would alienate their connections if they hide their future plans.

Even if there’s not an immediate answer on where someone is headed next, it can still be found out.

If you keep it hidden, for the others, there’s no point in continuing interactions with you.

With Lynch’s approval, Catherine didn’t conceal her plans.

The host nodded slightly after listening. Women are actually very disadvantaged in Federation politics.

The most significant example is that there haven’t been any female Legislators in Congress up to now. Besides this, Federation hasn’t produced any female Governors yet, indicating that this path isn’t easy.

But the future is not entirely bleak; at least the women’s rights movement has given women more opportunities. Plus, with Lynch’s support behind her, she might be able to keep going.

"This choice is good. I will work at the Mayor’s office in the latter half of the year. Next year or the year after, I might transfer to the West to serve as Mayor."

While speaking, his tone carried a hint of pride. To become a Mayor just two years after graduating from university, even if it’s a small western city many people haven’t heard of, is a remarkable achievement.

His credentials would look impressive; he interned at the President’s Mansion, solved some issues for the President, then somewhere... Someone asked — worked at Bupen City Mayor’s office for over a year or a bit longer, about two years.

Subsequently, through outstanding personal ability and work efficiency, supported by the party behind him, he participated in a city’s mayoral election and won the position with considerable advantage...

If things go smoothly, he’ll at least make it into the Senate, and might even have a chance to charge towards the President’s position.

The others are similar; at a minimum, they start as city legislators. Among these people, it seems like Catherine’s start is somewhat lower.

After chatting for a bit, the atmosphere on the second-floor platform became more harmonious. Meanwhile, the people downstairs continued to enjoy music, cocktails, and intimate physical contact with the opposite sex.

Someone grew restless, "Lynch, and...," he took off his jacket revealing his toned upper body, "I’m going downstairs to have some fun..."

Lynch nodded, and the host also agreed, encouraging more people to want to go down.

They’re all young; sitting up here chatting like antiques isn’t their favorite. They enjoy the thrill of alcohol and the opposite sex.

One by one, people went down, leaving only the host, Lynch, and Catherine on the platform upstairs.

Lynch poured himself a drink, slightly raised it, "You can go down and have some fun, don’t think about us, I’ll take care of her."

The host’s eyes flickered slightly, nodded with a smile, and then departed.

Lynch and Catherine moved to the edge of the second-floor platform, their arms leaning against the railing, gazing at the first floor and the dance floor, silent for a while.

After a while, Catherine suddenly asked, "Are you going down to have some fun?"