69novels Chapter 84 Why don't you become mayor and run for president?
Chapter 84 Why don't you become mayor and run for president?
Chapter 84 Why don't you become mayor and run for president?
The entire venue remained completely silent.
No matter how loud Li En's voice was, it was difficult to have any effect when it struck these children.
The despair in their eyes was like the sky over Hell's Kitchen, forever gray, with only a few children's eyes flickering.
Li En did not continue speaking.
Because he discovered that quite a few children had a hint of life in their eyes.
But this glimmer of life seemed as if it could be blown away by a gust of wind at any moment.
He turned to Connors and said, "Give the children their school uniforms."
Connors and Banner immediately opened the two wooden crates next to them.
Inside were neat sets of school uniforms, but you could tell from the fabric that they weren't new clothes, but rather secondhand garments that had been worn by others.
Even so, these black and white sports uniforms are much better than the tattered ones the children are wearing.
These school uniforms were probably discarded from some unknown school; they were donated by the Green Dragon Gang and were delivered several days ago.
Only recently have they removed the original school badge from the school uniforms and replaced it with the Umbrella logo.
The children automatically split into two lines.
The one leading on the left is Mingdi; she is the class monitor of Class 1.
The one leading on the right is Frank, who is the class monitor of Class Two.
Thirty students from each of the two classes, led by their class monitors, stepped forward obediently, received the secondhand school uniforms, and put them on on the spot.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Ben Yurik came to Li En's side.
He still held paper and pen in his hand, taking notes as he asked, "Principal Li En, didn't what you just said further damage these children's confidence?"
Even as a veteran journalist with decades of experience who had witnessed countless speeches, he had never seen anyone like Li En.
It lays bare the harsh realities of life directly in front of these children, without any concealment.
Li En's gaze fell on the children receiving their school uniforms, and she replied softly, "These children are indeed young, but they are all very sensible."
"Apart from Mindy and Frank Jr., almost all of the children's families had parents who were drug addicts or older siblings who were involved in gangs."
"Every day, we rarely get to eat a decent meal."
"Every year after Christmas Eve, these children would find that their playmates had just disappeared without a trace."
"They are in hell, and they know suffering."
"They understand how cruel this world is better than many adults."
Li En turned her head to the side and looked in the direction of Times Square.
"The cruelest place is where you have everything in the world just a few blocks away."
"The children here only need to climb onto the roof and look out to see the bustling Times Square."
"They envy them because of this, feel inferior because of this, and despair because of this."
Ben Urick also turned his head and looked towards Times Square.
It's one of the world's financial centers, with luxury cars, beautiful women, and dazzling lights; it truly has everything the world has to offer.
Li En continued softly, "What makes these children most desperate is not being born in Hell's Kitchen."
"But heaven is so close, yet we can never reach it."
"It was like an invisible thread, nothing more than a firefly's hope dancing towards the sky in the pitch-black night."
"After the firefly flies high into the sky, a strong wind will come and knock it back to the ground, where it will be silently buried by the passing sand and dust."
Ben Yurik's eyes dimmed.
He understood that Li En was right.
Children born in Hell's Kitchen face even greater despair than children elsewhere.
Because they are so close to heaven.
The New York Gazette was published early the next morning.
During this period, New Yorkers have actually had little interest in buying newspapers.
Because the front, second, and third pages are always filled with the two mayoral candidates announcing new promises, or who has been exposed for whose scandal.
As the election intensifies, almost every newspaper is reporting on the events.
Even the mysterious masked men, or the Spider-Man who hung criminals upside down from streetlights, all disappeared from the newspaper pages.
But today, people passing by newsstands on their way to work suddenly noticed that the huge photo on the front page was different from usual.
There was no picture of Mayor Morris, nor of his rivals.
The photo shows only a group of children wearing old school uniforms, standing neatly in the background.
They stopped and looked at the headline on the front page of the newspaper.
Sword of Hell, Light of Hope.
Under the large title was a photo of sixty children born in Hell's Kitchen.
Their faces were filthy, with something stuck to their hair, their skin was sallow, and they were thin.
At just one glance, people wanted to see what the report was about and readily paid for it.
The newspaper article contained an introduction to these children, as well as a speech by Li En as the principal.
Below is an interview with Lee by Ben Yurik.
Ben Yurik: "Officer Lee, you're the honorary headmaster of Umbrella School, but you didn't grow up in Hell's Kitchen. What made you think of doing this?"
Lee: "I'm a police officer with the Manhattan Police Department. I just wanted to give those kids a choice, that's all."
"They had no choice in their birth, nor in the environment and family they lived in."
"But at least, I hope that in their future, even just once, they can make their own choices."
Ben Urick: "In the outside world's perception, Hell's Kitchen has always been a breeding ground for criminals, and anyone who has the ability has escaped."
"People who grow up here are labeled as criminals."
"I heard that you volunteered to be transferred here. Why?"
Li En: "Because this place is very close to heaven."
g■■n■n
Ben Yurik: "Now everyone outside calls you 'Sword of Hell,' but I think you are the Knight of Light."
Li En: "No, Mr. Ben, those children who are willing to fight for their future are the warriors who yearn for the light."
Conclusion: The sword of hell pierced the night.
Ben Yurik.
Manhattan Police Department.
Brock burst out of the chief's office, jogged up to Rean, and shouted, "Hellsword! Mayor Morris has arranged a charity gala for Umbrella Schools!"
"He invited many celebrities and tycoons to raise funds for the school, and you'll have to be there."
Lee En glanced sideways at Brock, saying, "That guy's reaction was quick."
"What do you mean by 'that guy'?" Brock said, then laughed at himself.
"This wave should raise at least several million for the school, so we should treat the wealthy donors better."
Mayor Morris is a politician with a very keen sense of smell.
When he discovered that the New York Gazette’s report had generated considerable buzz, he contacted them immediately.
He didn't intend to donate his own money; instead, he immediately organized a large-scale fundraising event.
In this way, one can enhance their reputation without spending a single penny.
Furthermore, many wealthy individuals in New York who were originally neutral may appear at the party.
Mayor Morris could then take this opportunity to build closer ties with them.
Those wealthy individuals represent not only campaign funds, but also a large number of votes.
All I can say is that this guy truly deserves to be the mayor of New York City.
"Hell's Sword, Officer Lee En! Come out!"
Shouts could be heard coming from the police station entrance.
Cherry strode in from the doorway, went straight to the two of them, and said in a low voice, "A large group of poisonous insects and reporters have come outside."
"Why are these poisonous insects coming over? Are they going to turn themselves in?" Brock's eyes widened in surprise.
When did drug addicts start daring to come to the Manhattan Police Department's entrance?
When they see police officers on the street, they wish they could immediately crawl into a sewer.
Are you really that bold now?
Cherry shook her head: "They're followed by more than a dozen newspapers. I wonder what kind of conspiracy they're plotting."
"I knew it." Brock's face darkened.
"Maurice's opponents will definitely try to trip him up."
"It's impossible to just stand by and watch Maurice gain both fame and money."
He understood instantly.
Why do these drug addicts dare to come to the police station entrance?
Mayor Morris gained a small boost in reputation after he helped Lee build the charity school last time.
This report in the New York Gazette has sparked a huge wave of interest.
Many television stations have come to Hell's Kitchen to visit and broadcast live.
One of the most widely circulated sayings is that Hell's Kitchen is too close to Heaven.
This statement caused a huge uproar online and spread widely.
Many regions have economies that are not as strong as New York State, yet people find that their entire state doesn't have such extreme places.
Although they were poor and life was hard, at least they didn't suffer like those children who lived in constant hunger and cold.
If this happened in the Middle East, or in some other country, they would at most just sigh.
But now, this situation is actually happening in New York.
This, to some extent, completely overturned their understanding.
Discussion, questioning, anger—all sorts of emotions converged into a tsunami.
If Morris does indeed ride this wave, then his position as mayor of New York City is practically guaranteed.
His opponents now have to do everything they can to suppress this tsunami.
If you really can't suppress it, then turn the tsunami into a pile of dung.
Therefore, the drug addicts' parents and reporters who are now at the door are here with the intention of throwing feces at Li En.
Li En walked to the entrance of the police station and glanced around.
There were nearly twenty reporters; almost every newspaper, big or small, from New York was there.
In front of the reporter were more than thirty poisonous insects.
They all had sunken eyes and sallow complexions, and stood there swaying unsteadily.
Upon seeing Li En appear, the poisonous insects immediately began to shout loudly.
"They're all just kids! It's because they were born in Hell's Kitchen that they steal, rob, and join gangs!"
"They all have hearts of gold; they are all kind-hearted children!"
"You can't deny them any chance just because they made mistakes in the past!"
"They're just kids!"
These drug addicts' parents were unable to get their children into Umbrella School because of its admission requirements.
Actually, the school's conditions are not that strict.
Umbrella School accepts all children under the age of sixteen with no prior criminal record.
But in the eyes of these drug addict parents, getting their children into school can save them a lot of money.
This is such a wonderful thing.
However, for such a small benefit, the poisonous insects wouldn't dare to cause trouble here.
They knew very well that if they caused trouble today, they might end up in jail tomorrow.
Although they wouldn't get beaten up inside, withdrawal symptoms could be fatal.
The reason they are so bold today is because they have someone backing them.
Suddenly, the reporters went berserk, pushing aside the poisonous insects and rushing to Li En, desperately shoving microphones into his mouth.
If only we could bring this famous figure, known as the Sword of Hell, down from his pedestal and utterly destroy him.
That would be such a sensational news story.
With such big news, reporters would naturally swarm in like crazy.
"Officer Li En, isn't this unfair?"
"Officer, why not give the children a chance!"
"Officer Lee Eun—"
Li En glared angrily, and a chilling aura suddenly spread out, startling the reporters who were practically shoving microphones into his mouth. Everyone froze on the spot.
He stepped back onto the steps, raised his hand, and pointed downwards.
Only after all the reporters had obediently retreated to the bottom of the steps did he calmly survey the poisonous insects.
Then, speaking into the microphone, he said, "When they make the choice to commit a crime, they've already stopped seeing themselves as children."
"So I will respect their choices and not treat them like children."
Immediately, a venomous insect retorted, his voice trembling with tears, "He's only fourteen! He's still just a child!"
"My daughter is only fifteen! She can't become a singer because of her circumstances!"
Li En, a student at level 88, sneered, "To give birth and not raise a child is to be unworthy of being human."
"You lot dare to call yourselves parents?"
"They must bear the consequences of their choices."
"This is what we adults should be teaching them."
After saying that, Li En turned around and walked into the police station, completely ignoring the noise outside.
"I never expected you to have such eloquence." Brock and Cherry had been standing at the door, listening to Li En's responses from beginning to end.
Brock looked Li En up and down and continued, "Back in school, I felt you had a real talent for politics."
"I didn't expect that this wasn't just talent, but also solid ability."
"It's only the midterm elections now. How about I sign you up and see if you can run for mayor of New York City?"
Cherry smiled and nodded: "First be the mayor of New York City, then run for president."
Li En shook his head slightly: "I don't understand politics at all, and I have no talent for it."
"I don't have any thoughts about becoming mayor or president at the moment."
He turned around and walked into the hall.
"Let's go, let's get to work."
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