120: Chapter 120 Clubs (5)

"So that's how it is." Sitting in a corner of the cafeteria, Li Ming looked at everyone and shrugged. "Zheng-chan refused to help, so I'm out of options."

Logic was frantically sending messages to express her dissatisfaction, but Li Ming had turned on silent mode, so Logic started harassing the others instead.

A6 lowered her head, swinging her legs.

Alert was a bit distressed. How did the Commander get into trouble in the short time she was away?

Z23 had a bit of a headache. If things went like this, there would be even less time for them to talk...

Anshan lay sprawled on the table, looking as if none of this concerned her.

"Sigh, alright. Alert, I got enough information from Glack... I mean, from the person in charge of the Rights Society's booth. Now I need to have a proper talk with you... and everyone else about this."

Li Ming held up a finger.

Anshan sat up, and A6 looked up at him.

Z23 remained seated, while Alert was already growing impatient.

"Let's start with the conclusion." Li Ming hesitated for a moment. "This club, along with its external organization, can basically be identified as an organization that intends to use parliamentary struggle to fight for rights."

"Uh..." Alert's expression blanked for a moment. "You mean they plan to do that whole election thing?"

"Yes, without a doubt. They intend to support members of their own faction to enter the city council of the Kingdom of Auronia, thereby improving the welfare and treatment of workers."

"Isn't that just the Second International's way of doing things?" Anshan wore a complicated expression. "Then never mind, no need to think about it."

Z23 thought about it. If that was really the case, this organization probably wouldn't amount to much...

Alert pursed her lips, looking at Li Ming's half-open mouth. She could tell he wasn't finished yet.

"However, based on my conversation with Glack, I'm certain he's definitely not the type for parliamentary struggle. His ideological focus is on broad social services and the collection of experience."

"Oh..." Anshan slumped back down. "Good luck to him, then."

"That being said," Li Ming shrugged, "according to the information Zheng-chan gave me, the main reason this organization could expand into the academy is its broad appeal. For example, many of the freshmen in the academy... or rather, the vast majority, actually come from the common working class in the city. Therefore, they have the chance to come into contact with this kind of ideology."

As he spoke, Li Ming unmuted his phone.

"...Conversely, this organization hasn't made much headway in high society. The main reason it hasn't been banned yet is Oronia's relative openness and unique nature. After all, it's a frontline city, yet also a major first-tier city focused on trade." A crisp female voice came from the phone's speaker. "Because of this, this ideology found fertile ground to develop in its mildest form."

"Is that... Logic?" Alert wondered.

"Yes." Li Ming nodded. "Zheng-chan, please continue."

"However, based on the experience from our world, this method is bound to fail and might even become a tool for its leaders," Logic continued. "Therefore, I'm not optimistic about this organization's development. But... Alert, if you intend to do something, this organization is very young and still has considerable plasticity."

"Eh?... Me? I'm going to change an organization?"

"Why not?" Logic's voice had a slight electronic quality but was exceptionally firm. "You were able to charge toward St. Petersburg back then. Have you become a coward now?"

"No way!" Alert jumped up, then sat back down. "But how should I join?"

"It's simple. Hasn't your Commander already joined?" Logic gave a soft chuckle. "Why not make good use of the existing resources?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Can't you affiliate through Mr. Finn's Game Club?" Logic suggested. "In that case, why not just affiliate under the Game Club—an environment controlled by friends—and then act together with your Commander?"

"That makes sense!" Alert realized, then looked at Li Ming. "Comrade Commander..."

"It's possible." Li Ming nodded. "Let me ask first..."

Li Ming lowered his head to send a message to Finn. On the other side, Anshan narrowed her eyes while lying on the table. "Aren't you the one who hates trouble the most? Why are you taking the initiative to get involved in this kind of thing now?"

"Generally speaking, yes." Li Ming closed his eyes. "And you, Anshan, you're joining the Game Club too."

"Why is this my business too?" Anshan sat up. "No, I'm not going."

"Just register your name. By the way, you can play games in there for half the day."

"But then again, if it's for free credits, I could certainly consider it."

Li Ming smiled. "He agreed to help us talk to the teacher. It's pretty much a done deal."

"That's good." Z23 nodded, but a look of worry remained on her face. "Commander, are you really sure there won't be any problems?"

"Without experiencing wind and rain, how can the sunflowers bloom?" Li Ming patted Alert's head, making her puff out her cheeks.

A6 leaned her head over and let Li Ming pat it too.

"Alright, let's vote. What do you think of this plan? Raise your hand if you're in favor."

Alert raised both hands, but it only counted as one vote.

A6 raised her hand, though she still remained expressionless.

Logic made Li Ming's phone vibrate a few times, which also counted as raising a hand.

"Okay, raise your hand if you're against it."

No one did.

"Then, as for the three of us..." Li Ming turned to look at Z23 and Anshan. "Do we count as abstaining?"

Anshan architecture yawned, pulled a cigarette case from her pocket, and took out a cigarette.

Z23 looked at him, her mind only on the potential crisis.

"Three votes in favor and three abstentions. Does that count as passed?"

"Abstentions don't count as votes, but they are included in the attendance count. When calculating the passing ratio, if the rule requires a majority of all members—for example, if there are 6 members in total—then at least 4 votes in favor are needed to pass," Logic replied.

"Fine then, I'm in favor." Li Ming raised his hand. "Four votes in favor, two abstentions. Passed."

And so, the decision was hastily passed.

"Now for the next item on the agenda: it's currently 3:30 PM." Li Ming glanced at the system time on his phone. "We have three options for dinner. One, eat at home, which would mean troubling Z23 again."

"Two, eat in the cafeteria. Three, we go to Baihui Street... to put it bluntly, it's a Chinatown of sorts. Now everyone decide, where should we eat?"

In the end, they unanimously decided to go to Baihui Street. After all, Eastern Radiance cuisine was no joke; even A6 agreed on that point.

...

...