American Comics: Something's Wrong with This Superhero World

Chapter 142 Have Fun

"If you're not willing, I can ask someone else to represent you," Xiao Xian joked, looking at Gwen.

"Of course I'd love to!" Gwen exclaimed excitedly upon hearing this, and then gave Xiao Xian a passionate kiss.

After a long while, their lips parted, and Gwen whispered happily, "It's like a dream~"

"Your lips are so soft," Xiao Xian said softly to Gwen. "Are you free tonight?"

"Yes! I mean, I'm fine," Gwen replied excitedly, then realized she might have been too enthusiastic, so she quickly corrected herself.

"Wait for me backstage, I'll come find you in a bit," Xiao Xianchao winked at Gwen.

"Okay~ I'll wait for you." Gwen happily handed the microphone to Xiao Xian and jogged off the stage.

"Next up is our old friend, Andres. He's a very nice person and a candidate for mayor of New York City. We hope you'll support him."

Xiao Xian picked up the microphone and shouted to the audience, "Andres has a close relationship with the Osborne Group. To be precise, he is a member of the Osborne Group. In Xiao Xian's eyes, the Osborne Group belongs to him. For his own benefit, Xiao Xian does not mind using his influence a little."

More importantly, Xiao Xian also wanted to see how much influence he had. In America, influence meant votes, and votes meant power.

Following Xiao Xian's introduction, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Andres walked onto the stage with a confident smile. He first thanked Xiao Xian and then began his speech.

"Distinguished guests, I am Andreas. I am able to stand here today thanks to the support of Sir John Shaw and the encouragement of each and every one of you. We all know that New York City faces many challenges, but it also has endless possibilities. If I am fortunate enough to become mayor, I will dedicate myself to making our city more prosperous, safe, and inclusive."

"This guy doesn't stand much of a chance. He's a political newcomer with a weak political foundation, and the election is just around the corner." At the edge of the stage, George Stacy whispered to Xiao Xian, "With your influence, you could win with any of the popular candidates. Why put more pressure on him? It would only offend the future mayor of New York City."

"If I don't pick a political newbie, how can I test whether my influence can actually sway the New York mayoral election?" Xiao Xian laughed. "And the mayor of New York? With my current popularity, offending him a little is no big deal, unless he and his party don't want New York's female votes anymore."

This isn't some major power. Amelia's political status isn't that detached. No matter who comes to power, no matter which party, and no matter how many unpleasant things happened in the past, the other party has to appease Xiao Xian, who has Osborne's financial support and a large number of female votes.

The latter, in particular, is seen by politicians as a more important bargaining chip than Osborne's financial support. After all, in New York, politicians who have made it big can't be without financial support, but women's votes are different; votes are a politician's lifeline.

Even if only one-tenth of Xiao Xian's female fans support the people he supports, that would still be a significant force in determining elections for New York council members and mayor.

If all of Xiao Xian's female fans support the people he supports, then the mayor, governor, senator, and congressman of New York City would all be decided by Xiao Xian alone.

It's worth noting that about 90 percent of women in New York are fans of Xiao Xian, and if that's half, then that's 45 percent of New York women.

If the male-to-female ratio is 1:1, that would represent 22.5% of the vote. However, New York City's voter turnout last year was only about 20%. Although most people may occasionally pay attention to topics such as the mayoral candidate, not many actually go to vote when the election actually takes place.

"Be careful of Fisk. He won't be happy to have a challenger emerge at this time, and he's not a politician in the strictest sense."

George Stacy reminded Xiao Xian that he had been promoted to police chief with Xiao Xian's support, and that he cared more about Xiao Xian's safety than Xiao Xian himself. Two days ago, when Xiao Xian faked his death, the current mayor hinted that he should resign as soon as possible, and he cried bitterly.

"Fisk? Who? Never heard of him, a superhero?" Xiao Xian asked in confusion.

"He has another name you may have heard of, Kingpin," George Stacy reminded Xiao Xian. "Unlike ordinary politicians, he is actually the emperor of New York's underground forces, and he is running for mayor now in an attempt to clean up his image."

"Ha~ Kingpin, he doesn't even have superpowers, why should I care? He'll train until he can withstand my heat vision first." Xiao Xian curled his lip in disdain upon hearing this.

"Besides, I have the Osborn Corporation and S.H.I.E.L.D. behind me. Kingpin, if he's not out of his mind, knows who he can mess with and who he can't."

"That's true, I was overthinking it." George Stacy thought about it and agreed. The reason the underground forces are called underground forces is because they can't beat the violent machine. If they were stronger than the violent machine, they wouldn't be underground forces, they would be a new regime.

After Andres finished his speech, Xiao Xian went on stage again to praise him, then called on everyone to vote for him, and finally left amidst the fans' reluctant pleas for him to stay.

"If Andres really gets elected, you will prove your influence, and then even the President will not be able to ignore your influence." George Stacy was waiting for Xiao Xian downstairs. When she saw Xiao Xian come down, she immediately said excitedly. At the same time, she added in her heart, "Maybe I will also have a chance to go further, and it is not impossible for me to become the mayor of New York City in the future."

"We'll see when the time comes. What about Gwen?" Xiao Xian shrugged. There are many people who love him, and quite a few who hate him. He wasn't sure how many of his fans would vote for him because of his words. He was sure that a lot of male votes would go to his opponent, but overall it should be positive. He'd see when the time came.

Unfortunately, voting requires being an adult, and the most enthusiastic voters among Xiao Xian's fans are the underage girls; otherwise, Xiao Xian would be very confident.

However, if Xiao Xian can truly prove his influence in New York, turn New York state politicians into his own people, and become the true leader of the New York faction, then Xiao Xian will be qualified to break through his own glass ceiling.

"I heard from the staff that she's waiting for you backstage. I'll take you there." George Stacy cheerfully led Xiao Xian backstage. His daughter was really capable; it wasn't in vain that he had fought for this opportunity.

"Dad?" Gwen felt embarrassed when she saw her father and Xiao Xian together. Her carefully applied makeup made her instantly awkward. "Didn't you go home?"

"Don't be nervous, you're an adult now. Dad isn't as old-fashioned as you think. Your dad's been through it all. When I was your age, I often stayed out all night." George Stacy winked at Gwen, then said to Xiao Xian, "I have to go now. Have fun."

(End of this chapter)