??After breakfast, Zhang Chongxin casually called his second son-in-law, Steven, to ask if he wanted to go to work in an antique store. After all, today is Christmas.
?? Steven said slightly apologetically: "Dad, I was just going to tell you that I have something to do today, so I won't go to the store."
"Well, today is the holiday and there will definitely be very few guests, so I won't go. In the evening, your whole family will come to my place, and I will call your eldest sister and Jiaqi back, so that we can all have a good Christmas together."<
/p>
??Speaking of which, most of Sihaijizang’s customers immigrated from overseas. They will definitely celebrate Christmas today, so you can imagine the business in the store.
??"Dad, I'm afraid we won't have time to come over tonight."
?? Steven hesitated.
??Zhang Chongxin was suddenly a little surprised: "What's going on? Does Jiayi have to work overtime again? It's okay if you don't ask for leave. Can't you even get off work normally?"
??"Dad, it's none of Jiayi's business." Steven paused and quickly explained: "I'm going to the city to take part in a walking action later. The hometown association has called for it. It wouldn't be appropriate not to go. I'm afraid I won't be able to do it all day long."
No time."
??"Operation Walk? What do you want to do?"
??Zhang Chongxin asked quickly.
??“We are all federal citizens, so we naturally have to enjoy the same citizenship rights. Especially now that there is not enough food to eat, we should get the same food stamps.”
??"I'm telling you, don't do this nonsense. Your family is not short of food, so why are you messing around? The current environment is not good, everyone is very angry, and things can easily happen." Zhang Chongxin said earnestly.
??As the saying goes, it has nothing to do with you, just hang it high!
??This is also a consistent local tradition.
?? Steven suddenly said bitterly: "Dad, it's impossible not to go, unless you no longer hang out in the circle."
??"If you don't mix, you won't mix. Who is afraid of whom?"
??Zhang Chongxin didn’t think so.
??"Dad, it's not that simple. If I am really excluded from the circle, the business of our antique shop will definitely be greatly affected."
??"Isn't that true? You can just find any excuse. Can they still come to verify it in person?"
??Zhang Chongxin frowned subconsciously.
??"Dad, the antique shop has finally gained a good reputation among the immigrant community. We can't let the small lose the big. Don't worry, this walk will not be dangerous, otherwise Jiayi will not agree to my going.
”
??Steven tried to persuade.
??“How do you know there’s no danger?”
??“For this walking action, the hometown association has already set the tone. In principle, it will be peaceful and non-violent. The focus is on expressing demands. If it succeeds, it’s good. If it doesn’t, there will be no force.”
??“If that’s the case, then you’re definitely out of luck.”
??Zhang Chongxin is decisive.
?? Steven couldn't help but be stunned: "Why?"
??"Hey, I have lived for most of my life and have experienced many walks. Only a handful of them succeeded in the end, and most of the time they ended up being nothing."
??"So low?"
??"Okay, let's talk in detail when we have time." Zhang Chongxin paused, and then warned: "Since you want to go, then go! But pay attention to safety. If something goes wrong, you must leave in time.
In everything you do, think more about your mother, Jiayi, and Kevin."
??"Dad, I understand. Don't worry, I won't risk my life."
?? Steven assured immediately.
??After hanging up the phone, Zhang Chongxin felt more unsure the more he thought about it, so he went upstairs and called his son up.
??"Dad, what are you doing?"
??"There is a walking operation in the city today, do you know?" Zhang Chongxin asked directly.
??"What kind of walking operation?"
??Zhang Hao reached out and rubbed his eyes.
??Zhang Chongxin first gave a brief introduction, and then asked: "Do you think there is any danger?"
??“It’s hard to say, many walks start out quite mildly, but end up being violent in the end. After all, when there are more people, anything can happen.”
??"What about your second brother-in-law?"
??Zhang Chongxin immediately worried.
??Zhang Hao touched his chin and thought for a while: "How about this? I will ask Captain Fang to accompany the second brother-in-law. Even if we are really in danger, it shouldn't be a problem to escape unscathed."
??“Well, this method is good.”
??Zhang Chongxin nodded repeatedly.
??Zhang Hao picked up the mobile phone on the bedside on the spot and called Captain Fang.
??……
??At ten o'clock in the morning, groups of walking people began to appear on several main roads in the city, mainly Westerners, but also a small number of locals.
??The crowd held hands and shouted neat slogans.
??Unfortunately, it is now the coldest climate of the year, with the average temperature as low as minus 37 or 8 degrees Celsius, and there are basically no pedestrians on the street.
?? Steven led Captain Fang to the front of the team. Surrounded by them were several leaders of the hometown association, who were also the initiators of this operation.
??"Steven, I didn't expect you to come."
??The speaker was President William of the hometown association.
?? Steven shook his head: "I'm not a big shot, and that's all I can do."
??"Don't say that, you have done enough. At least you helped recommend a lot of job opportunities, which is related to the livelihood of hundreds of families."
??President William couldn’t help but sigh.
??"I am telling the truth. Compared with Sterling and others, it is far behind."
??Steven’s words are thoughtful and thoughtful.
??The new car factory in Sterling recruited thousands of people at the resettlement site in one go, causing a sensation. It is said that another two to three thousand people will be recruited in the future, giving many people hope.
??On his side, most of it is actually through the help of his wife. There are only a few employees here at Sihaijizang, and there are not many jobs available.
??President William suddenly had a complicated expression: "Although Sterling has made a great contribution, he rejected our invitation. What's even more outrageous is that not only did he not come, but he also prohibited his employees from participating."
??“He is a big shot, so it is probably not convenient for him to express his stance.”
??Steven speculated.
??Sterling was once the richest man in the federation after all, and his influence was too great. In addition, the automobile industry has just started, so it is not surprising that he wanted to be safe.
??"If it was just like this, I wouldn't say no. I just called him personally, hoping that he could help retweet our hometown association's Twitter, but he was rejected on the spot, without any mercy." ??President William said angrily.
??"Ahem, William, look at it. Sterling has a sensitive status now, and he probably has his own difficulties. We should be more considerate of him."
??For Sterling, Steven still admires him most.
??President William sighed deeply, and then suddenly changed the topic: "Steven, I know that Director Zhang from Southeast Fisheries is your brother-in-law. Can you please help him forward the tweet?"
"What? President William, you don't know something. My brother-in-law has always kept a low profile. Although he has Twitter, it is a private account and has not been officially verified."
??Steven quickly found an excuse.
??“Isn’t it possible to authenticate now?”
??President William needs celebrities to express their opinions, rather than relying on the power of fans to expand their influence. After all, the other party's fans are Oriental, which will only be counterproductive.
?? Steven shook his head without hesitation: "President William, please don't embarrass my brother-in-law. He really hates appearing in public."
??"That's such a pity!"
?? President William saw the other party’s firm attitude and could only shake his head with disappointment.
?? Steven took the opportunity to change the subject: "President William, are we sure that our superiors will make concessions during this walk?"
??"We have done special research and there should be a 20% chance." President William replied softly.
??"Only 20%?"
??Although he no longer had high hopes, Steven couldn't help but be surprised when he heard this number.
??"Well, if we use a Daxia proverb to describe our current situation, it would be that people are cheap when they leave their hometown. Why do we have no trump cards in our hands?"
??President William replied with a slumped face.
??"President William, there is no need for us to be so disappointed. As long as we survive for another two and a half years, we will be able to fully integrate into this city." Steven quickly comforted.
??President William waved his hand: "I'm not pouring cold water on this. This road is not that easy. Unless everyone can afford a house, they will be inferior to others after all."
"Buy a house? According to the housing prices in Huicheng, most people will not be able to afford a house in their lifetime. I think it is more practical to wait for public rental housing." Steven shook his head.
??“Public rental housing is still missing!”
??"I was reading the news a few days ago, and didn't it say that Zhucheng is already under construction?"
?? Steven said doubtfully.
??"Zhucheng is the capital, which is different from Huicheng."
??“What’s different?”
??“Various federal agencies have been newly relocated to Zhucheng, and there are at least hundreds of thousands of official employees. These people also cannot afford to buy houses and need massive public rental housing.”
??President William said something meaningful.
?? Steven suddenly realized: "So that's it. No matter where you are, first-come-first-served is the first to win. The official will never treat its own people badly."
??"Steven, your family is lucky. You have a great relative, so all your worries are gone."
??President William said with envy.
??Although their family has some savings, they cannot afford to buy a house and can only rent a house.
??A few people walked and chatted, and soon arrived at the Public Square. Everyone took out the mats they had prepared in advance and began to sit in.
??In less than half an hour, several ambulances came to the edge of the square. The low temperature of minus 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, coupled with the howling north wind, was not something that ordinary people could bear.
??……
??At seven o'clock in the evening, Steven finally returned home.
??When Zhang Jiayi saw her husband who was shivering from the cold, she quickly took out a thick blanket and put it on him without saying a word.
??Kevin immediately walked to the fireplace and used tongs to stir up the charcoal fire: "Dad, come over and warm up the fire."
??Steven didn’t show off and walked over quickly.
??Lisa then brought out a bowl of ginger soup that had been cooked long ago: "Steven, drink a bowl of ginger soup to drive away the cold."
??"Thank you, Mom!"
?? Steven took the ginger soup and drank it in one gulp.
??There was a surge of heat in my stomach instantly.
??"I told you not to go but to go. Look at yourself frozen and stupid. It's really troublesome."
??Zhang Jiayi couldn’t help but complain.
?? Steven casually took out a battery from his pocket: "Look, the battery is still charged? If the fire truck hadn't been dispatched from above and it was sprayed with snowflakes, it wouldn't have frozen at all."
??His jacket has a built-in heating function, and one battery can last for more than a week.
??"Huh, you keep the fire going for a while, and I'll help you boil a pot of hot water. I'll take a nice hot bath later."
??Zhang Jiayi has always had a sharp mouth and a tofu heart.
??“Thank you, wife.” Steven showed a smile.
??Seeing her daughter-in-law leave, Lisa immediately asked: "I heard from your mother-in-law that there was a conflict between you guys today. Are you all okay?"
??“Fortunately, it was just a small physical conflict, nothing intrusive, and no one was seriously injured.”
??"That's good. Has the higher-up agreed to your request?" Lisa asked again.
?? Steven shook his head: "It's not that easy, but it's not without any effect. The superiors promised to hold a special symposium in two days for everyone to sit down and talk together."
??"Can it be done?"
??Lisa doesn’t want to see her compatriots suffer.
??"I'm afraid it will be difficult. Not long after we arrived at the Public Square in the morning, the superiors took the initiative to send someone over to negotiate. Although the other party's posture was very low and their words were very nice, it was obvious that there was almost no possibility of concessions.
”
?? Steven smiled bitterly.
??"What should we do? If we really rely on those food stamps, it is estimated that many families will not be able to survive this winter."
??Lisa’s face was full of worry.
??"Mom, don't worry, the higher ups will probably find a way. It's not like there's no food in the grain depot, so we have to leave a way for people to survive, right? If you really push people into a hurry, they can do anything." p>
??Steven frowned.
??Kevin took the opportunity to interject: "Dad, if there is a similar action next time, you'd better not go."
??"Why don't you go?" Steven said angrily.
??"Dad, I also heard from my classmates that throughout the whole day today, we also intercepted many aggressive walking groups near the Public Square.
??They are contrary to you and have raised the banner of opposing refugees. If the two of you really meet, it will definitely be like dry wood meeting fire, and no one will be able to gain anything."
??Kevin explained in detail.
When Lisa heard this, she immediately changed her mind: "Steven, Kevin is right, don't go next time. If not, I'll go instead. I'm an old woman, and they don't dare to do anything."
"Grandma, it's freezing outside. You'd better stay at home. If you go, I'll go too. I've learned a lot of moves from my uncle, so it's no problem to protect yourself." Kevin advised. ??"If you dare to act recklessly, I'll tell your mother to ban you." Lisa grabbed her eldest grandson's ear, "You young people are prone to passion and don't know the severity of your actions. Don't go out and cause trouble."
??"Kevin, during this period, you three should stay away from school. This is not something you can interfere with."
??Steven followed closely.
??Seriously speaking, this matter has little to do with their family. If it ruins the future of the children, then he would be a real fool.
?? Emma smiled and nodded: "Grandma, Dad, don't worry, our school's door is closed today, and no one is allowed to go out. The school will not let you go unless the parents come to pick them up in person."
??"This is the right thing to do. You are still students. Your main task is to study hard. You should not worry about other things." Steven breathed a sigh of relief.