59: Chapter 59 Debate

# Chapter 59: The Debate

Chen Yifei's campaign strategy was simple—

No insults. No empty talk. Just show them.

On the day of the press conference, he didn't say a single word.

He took thirty reporters on a tour of Oak Town.

The greenhouses—Park Ji-yeon explained the cultivation techniques for Golden Ear No. 1.

The photovoltaic power station—Kevin displayed the data for two hundred megawatts of power generation.

The industrial park—Ricardo's food processing plant was running at full speed.

The construction site of the Apple assembly center—the construction crew was laying the foundation.

The site for the university funded by Buffett—Old George stood on the empty lot, sharing his vision of "integration of industry and education" with the reporters.

Main Street—there were long queues at Sophia's restaurant. Uncle Bob's gas station displayed a banner saying "Support Mayor Chen."

The school—children were having classes in brand-new classrooms.

The community hospital—Emily took the reporters on a tour of the new surgical center.

Finally—they arrived at the Central Plaza.

Beneath that old oak tree.

Chen Yifei stood under the tree, saying nothing.

The reporters began asking questions on their own.

"Mayor Chen—your opponent says you're a 'corn planter from a foreign country.' How do you respond?"

Chen Yifei pointed behind him.

"You've all just seen everything. Do you think—someone who 'only knows how to plant corn'—could achieve all this?"

Camera flashes flickered frantically.

"You want to ask about my immigrant status?" Chen Yifei's voice was calm. "I'll tell you—I came to Oak Town two years ago. At that time, there were ten thousand people here. Now, there are eighty thousand."

"This isn't a story about 'a foreigner coming to steal American jobs.'"

"This is a story about 'one man coming—to create jobs for everyone.'"

"My opponent—has been a councilman for twenty years. What has he done? You can check for yourselves."

"I—have only been here for two years. But you've all just seen the results."

He turned and walked away.

Leaving thirty reporters—typing frantically under the oak tree.

---

Public opinion completely flipped.

"Chen Yifei takes reporters on a tour of Oak Town—doesn't speak, just uses facts to slap them in the face."

"What has a Chinese man done in two years? Built a photovoltaic power station, brought in Elon Musk and Apple, secured a donation from Buffett—what has his opponent done in twenty years?"

"'A corn planter from a foreign country'—indeed—this 'corn planter' created six thousand jobs. May I ask Richard Brown—how many did you create?"

Richard Brown's face—was ashen on the television.

His campaign team held an emergency meeting.

"We need to adjust our strategy—we can't attack his immigrant status anymore. Attacking that now is political suicide."

"Then attack his policies."

"Which policies?"

"Rent control. Many people hate rent control."

"Also—he's built too many factories. Some say Oak Town has lost its small-town feel."

"Use that. 'Oak Town is no longer Oak Town—it's become a soulless industrial zone.'"

---

The televised debate.

Nebraska Public Television. Broadcast live.

Chen Yifei and Richard Brown met face-to-face for the first time.

Brown looked very composed. His suit was sharp, his hair perfectly groomed, and his smile precise.

"Mr. Chen—" Brown began, "I admire what you've done. But I want to ask one question."

"Please."

"Is Oak Town still Oak Town?"

Chen Yifei didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"You've built factories, power stations, and industrial parks. You've turned Oak Town into—an industrial zone. What about those quiet streets? That leisurely farm life? The memories of the old residents?"

"Have you—sold the soul of Oak Town?"

The entire room went silent.

Chen Yifei looked at Brown.

Then he smiled.

"Mr. Brown, you ask me if Oak Town still has a soul."

"Let me show you something."

He pulled a photo from his pocket and held it up to the camera.

It was an Apple tree.

"This Apple tree—was planted in 1932. It's nearly a hundred years old. It belongs to Uncle Bob—an old man who has lived in Oak Town for fifty years."

"When the land for the second phase of the industrial park was being acquired—this tree was within the acquisition area."

"I didn't cut it down. I modified the plans and left a hundred acres of land—just for this tree."

"Mr. Brown—you say I sold the soul of Oak Town."

"No. I didn't sell it. I—preserved it."

He put the photo down.

"The changes in Oak Town are a fact. More factories. A larger population. A faster pace."

"But—the Apple tree is still here. The old oak tree is still here. Mary's Restaurant is still here. Uncle Bob's gas station is still here."

"A soul—is not something that remains unchanged. A soul is—what you are willing to stay for."

"Eighty thousand people chose to stay. That is the soul of Oak Town."

The applause in the studio—did not come from the audience.

It came from the television station staff.

---

The polls after the debate—

Chen Yifei: 61 percent.

Richard Brown: 34 percent.

Undecided: 5 percent.

A lead of twenty-seven percentage points.

"Boss!" David rushed into the office, "The polls are out! You've won!"

"The votes haven't been cast yet."

"But with this gap—it's impossible for him to turn it around!"

Chen Yifei looked out the window.

"Don't let your guard down. Brown won't just let this go."

He was right.

Three days later—

A news story exploded.

"The source of Oak Town Mayor Chen Yifei's wealth is a mystery—assets skyrocketed dozens of times in two years—is it legal?"

The publishing media—Fox News.

The driving force behind it—no one knew.

But Chen Yifei knew—

Brown had made his move.

The system panel flashed—Wealth source questioned, public opinion attack, Danger Level A. System prompt: The most dangerous moment has arrived. Your money comes from the system, but externally you claim it's from agricultural consulting fees. If someone digs deep enough, this excuse might not hold up. It is recommended to prepare a response plan in advance.

Chen Yifei took a deep breath.

This hurdle—must be cleared.