Wandering America: My kill threshold is far ahead

"Of course, as you can see, buddy, due to my limited education, after hitting countless snags, I finally found a job delivering pizzas."

"I was overjoyed, so I put on my best clothes and polished my bicycle until it shone. But guess what? On the tenth day, I delivered the pizza to the wrong address because I misspelled a word."

"The customer called the store and loudly expressed his dissatisfaction, and I was kicked out of the pizzeria by the owner just because of this one small mistake."

"When I went to his door to ask for my wages, he refused to pay, citing a fine as the reason. I worked for ten days, ten days, bro, and I didn't even see a hair on Franklin's head."

"I went to the labor arbitration department, and a fat guy eating mousse cake at his workstation and watching the NBA All-Star Game on his iPad told me he couldn't do anything unless I was a member of the local union."

"And just like that, I didn't earn a single penny, and the travel expenses I brought were quickly spent. I could only line up in the slums for food. If it weren't for Jimmy bringing me into this camp and teaching me how to fill out forms to apply for subsidies and food stamps, I probably wouldn't even know if I'm alive or dead now."

At this point, Ethan took a big gulp of his drink, his eyes filled with anger as he clenched his fists tightly: "No matter what others think, I'm determined to survive here, make lots and lots of money, and then bring my parents, brothers, and sisters over. I want to prove to the world that a coal miner's son doesn't only have the path of digging coal."

Yes, that's right. Besides mining coal, you have a second option: becoming a homeless person.

Ma Jieke doesn't find this story particularly touching. Aren't there plenty of people from Dongda University who drift to Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenzhen?

Why go to the labor arbitration department? What were you thinking? They don't protect the local indigenous people, so why would they side with you?

You stinking out-of-towner, you've come all the way to Los Angeles to beg for food.

However, he's not without his merits; at least he's very honest, which is a rare quality among black-hearted people.

It's still better than those lazy, good-for-nothing, low-class trash who keep spouting nonsense.

"And you, young woman working away from home, which remote mountain area are you from?"

After listening to Ethan and his dream, Majek turned his gaze to Fiona.

Compared to the fiery Max, this white girl doesn't seem to know how to dress; she has the style of a girl next door.

"What?" Fiona retorted to Ma Jie's teasing, "Dude, you call Chicago a mountain? Besides New York and Los Angeles, can you find a more bustling city on a map?"

"It's Chicago...South Side." Max said mockingly, deliberately emphasizing the South Side.

Because in Chicago, the South Side is synonymous with dirt and disorder.

Gangs, prostitutes, alcoholics, drugs, murder, dropping out of school, early pregnancy... In that place, even the best writers would struggle to find positive words to praise it.

If I had to pick one, I'd say "happy education" would barely qualify.

"Blue bitch, do you want me to pull out this piss-soaked sanitary napkin and shove it into your mouth?"

Fiona raised her two middle fingers high, and Max naturally responded in a friendly manner.

Upon hearing her detailed description, Jimmy, who was engrossed in eating a hamburger next to him, immediately lost his appetite.

Clearly, this camp is dominated by women, which explains why it can only be relegated to a remote corner and driven to the edge of the map.

"Listen up, our future female mayor is about to start criticizing her family of origin again."

Ignoring Max's sharp tongue, Fiona took a sip of beer, her eyes looking dejected: "She's right, I do hate my family. My dad Frank is a jerk, you can't find anything else in him but alcohol and marijuana, and my mom Monica, because of bipolar disorder and drugs, has never cared about me since I was a child."

"I started taking care of my five younger siblings when I was nine years old. I was in fourth grade at the time. After school, I would wash clothes, change diapers, cook, and put them to sleep. Then, in the middle of the night, I would drag my alcoholic father, who was sleeping in the front yard, into the house to prevent him from freezing to death."

"A few years later, I started working to pay rent and utilities and help pay off the family's debts."

"Later, I tried all sorts of ways to make money, hoping to change my shitty life. I worked as a shift manager in a restaurant, a theme planner in a nightclub, and invested in apartments and laundries, but without exception, I messed them all up with my stupid judgments and actions, and almost ruined my credit."

"If you're curious about how I spent my youth, I'll tell you, I had no youth. I was constantly thinking about escaping, about leaving that cage called family and responsibility."

"Now that my children are all grown up and able to support themselves, I have no more worries and can leave that place with a clear conscience, and live out the rest of my life freely."

As she finished speaking, Fiona's voice grew softer and softer, clearly indicating that her current situation was completely at odds with her so-called free life.

Max walked over carrying a bottle of liquor, sat cross-legged next to her, and put his arm around her shoulder: "Listen, sister, you're taking on too much responsibility that isn't yours. If it were me, I'd probably just walk away. If they don't care about their children, then leave the problem to the ACF (Children and Families Administration). Of course, there's no point in telling you all this now. I just want to tell you that you have a business mind, the ability to change your life. Working and being homeless are only temporary, aren't they?"

Listening to her inspirational quotes, Fiona picked up her bottle and clinked it against hers: "Thanks, Max. You too, you're the most charismatic bitch I've ever met."

"Tomorrow, to the future, let's all cheer together!"

The crowd raised their bottles high and clinked them together, each with a smile on their face.

At least at this moment, no one is unhappy.

The dinner party lasted until late at night. Ma Jie carried the unconscious Jimmy, threw him into the tent, and returned to his own little nest.

Through this gathering, he discovered that the camp wasn't all useless, and if the time was right, he might be able to use this as an opportunity to unite everyone and do something together.

For example, forming an organization like the Los Angeles Beggars' Gang.

He would be the gang leader, in charge of overall command; Max would be the deputy leader, responsible for assisting; Fiona would be the leader of the gang, acting as the team's strategist; and Jimmy would be the elder in charge of training, responsible for improving the gang members' skills.

As for Ethan and the rest, they were all appointed as Nine-Bag Elders and Four Protectors, since they joined early.

Later on, titles such as "Eight-Bag Disciple" were assigned based on the time of joining the sect and contribution points.

Lost in these random thoughts, I slowly drifted off to sleep under the influence of alcohol.

When I woke up again, it was almost 11 a.m., another day of sleeping until I naturally woke up.

I thought Jimmy would wake me up again, but it turns out he can sleep even longer than I can.

Never mind, I habitually bring up the virtual AR panel to see what new tasks are available today.