The way a person eats can reveal certain aspects of their character.
Take His Excellency the Mayor in front of me, for example. The way he handles his knife and fork while dining is very straightforward, quick, and forceful. Within two to three strokes, he cuts a piece of beef from the steak, spreads some sauce on it, stuffs it into his mouth, and swallows it down swiftly.
In fact, some people have more refined pursuits; they cut more times, and the whole process is stretched out longer.
There’s a saying that if the knife cuts too quickly and roughly, it will misalign and alter the texture of the food, affecting the taste.
Such individuals might be more sensitive and pursue more idealistic things, whereas people like His Excellency the Mayor are representatives of pragmatism; efficiency, value, and outcome are what they seek.
While Lynch was observing secretly, His Excellency the Mayor set down his knife and fork. He picked up a napkin to dab his lips, then lifted the wine glass and took a small sip of red wine, "Continuing from where we left off, how do you think we should act to change the current situation?"
They had previously discussed isolationism and major international changes. Lynch’s mature perspective easily makes one forget that he is just twenty years old this year. Combined with his attire, he appears to be twenty-four or twenty-five.
Even so, on the political path, he is still a young man. Many politicians at twenty-four or twenty-five are still serving as interns for certain people, unable to grasp domestic situations, let alone international affairs.
The more the mayor chatted with Lynch, the more curious he became about what other interesting remarks Lynch might come up with. He was looking forward to it!
Lynch also timely set down his knife and fork. He dabbed the sauce on his lips, thought for a moment, and then began to answer, "I believe if our Progressive Party can gain governance in the next term, we need to participate more in the construction of the international community, play to our strengths. Bail Federal may not be the most advanced in technology, but definitely among the foremost; many countries need our help!"
His Excellency the Mayor nodded noncommittally, "But have you thought about a question, why would they accept us, why would the international community accept us?" This is also a question that some radicals in Bail Federal society are pondering.
Previously, due to the Conservative Party, Bail Federal closed its doors. Now, suddenly opening them again to participate in international community activities and taking on a significant role, why would others let you join, let alone become a leader?
The Progressive Party’s senior officials have also discussed many countermeasures. They already have a series of plans, but whether they can be implemented successfully remains to be tested. However, having specific methods is reassuring overall.
His Excellency the Mayor also knew this; he posed the question just to see if Lynch’s thoughts aligned with those of the Progressive Party’s senior officials.
Lynch slightly curved his lips, "Responsibility, Your Excellency. If we take on more responsibilities in the international community and let more countries recognize that Bail Federal is willing to bear more international responsibilities, then we will have more discourse rights."
His Excellency the Mayor nodded noncommittally. He pondered Lynch’s words and the hidden meanings behind them, smiling even more as he asked, "Then where do you think we should begin to take on these responsibilities?"
"Start with humanitarian international aid!"
This was destined to be a very meaningful luncheon. Firstly, His Excellency the Mayor and Lynch had highly unified stances and awareness on some points, laying a solid foundation for the mayor’s upcoming great political achievements.
Secondly, the discussions during the meal on Bail Federal and the international community gave the mayor great inspiration. He planned to organize these materials and submit them to the Progressive Party’s senior officials for a meeting to discuss their value and applicability.
If usable, it would also be an achievement for him, whether he had introduced a talent to the Progressive Party or selflessly contributed these contents, he would have made contributions to the entire Progressive Party.
If they couldn’t be used, it wasn’t a mistake either. As long as he didn’t publicly express opinions detrimental to the Progressive Party, no one would consider speaking out as an error.
In short, after this meal, some things would soon change, and Lynch gained another identity—the Progressive Party member.
On the way back, Ferrari drove while glancing at Lynch sitting in the back seat through the rearview mirror, showing a peculiar expression.
As they were leaving, His Excellency the Mayor had specifically instructed him to drive Lynch back, a level of treatment rarely seen even once a year, reserved for big figures or important guests. He hadn’t expected Lynch, so young, to receive it.
Accompanying this was some jealousy, but it quickly dissipated. As long as he maintained an appropriate friendship with Lynch, when the mayor rose, he could be nominated to participate in the party’s internal election and become a candidate for mayor of Sabin City.
Once on this path, some financial supporters would indispensably need to be behind him with support. A candidate without money is forever just a candidate.
With this in mind, he cleared his throat and asked, "Are there any difficulties you need to address for your auction?" He thoughtfully added, "Like venue issues, for example?"
Although the open space in the Warehouse District is large enough, the environment is lacking. If this event wasn’t linked to His Excellency the Mayor, he could host it in the restroom, and no one would say anything.
But with the mayor’s push in the background, hosting it in the open Warehouse District is somewhat inappropriate.
Lynch nodded and followed up, "Indeed, I have some new ideas. I want to borrow the Sabin City stadium, although there might be some hassle with the paperwork."
A specialized venue is for specialized activities. The Sabin City stadium was not constructed under normal financial appropriations. The state government believed Sabin City didn’t need a good stadium since there were no professional sports teams locally.
Without professional sports teams, there was no need for a professional stadium. However, the City Hall seemed to have other thoughts, and with the fundraising efforts of some capitalists and the public, the stadium was finally built.
A few years ago, a local merchant had formed a football team, but due to various reasons, it eventually went nowhere, and the stadium became a place for ordinary people to relax and unwind, falling into a semi-abandoned state where the turf hadn’t been replaced for over a year.
Even so, if the stadium were to be repurposed, even just for half a day or a day, there would be much resistance; an individual simply couldn’t apply for it.
After hearing this, Ferrari pondered, "That place is indeed a good spot, but you’ll need to... pay some people off, to silence some mouths."
Lynch nodded, "You know, money is not an issue for me."
Ferrari smiled in a seemingly ingratiating manner, "Then it’s no problem!"
If the auction itself triggered shock throughout Sabin City and even the entire state with its transaction volume, then the profit Lynch shared with the salespeople became the second explosive point.
According to some late reports, someone actually earned an eight-thousand-dollar commission. This news, in the context of an economically sluggish era, was like a bomb exploding among the population.
All of a sudden, Lynch’s office phone was ringing off the hook, with many people inquiring about the conditions to become a salesperson for this company. In their eyes, becoming a salesperson for the Interstellar Trade Company equated to being able to make money while lying down!