When everyone arrived behind a large rock and found a place to speak, the countless refugees began to pour out their grievances. All these refugees shared a common trait: they were all of Chinese descent. It was precisely because they could all speak the same language that they naturally began to band together for warmth and support.
"Now I need to know your real situation so I can provide help. If you dare to deceive me, I will show no mercy. So you had better tell me the truth!" Xu Xing said earnestly to the many refugees.
The refugees then spoke one after another: "Actually, we all immigrated to North America in the past decade or so. At the time, we were reminded by many immigration agencies' interpreters that North America would be a place with good welfare and beautiful environments, where we could enjoy excellent policies and it would be better than back home. However, after arriving here, we discovered that North America was experiencing a labor shortage, which is why they came up with new strategies to lure immigrants from other countries. Chinese people are an excellent source of labor, and we were thus targeted."
"Oh, I understand what you mean. So you came to these countries, aiming for good welfare, beautiful environments, and favorable policies, becoming permanent residents. But after arriving here, you found out you were merely becoming their desperately needed labor, leading to a sense of disappointment, is that right?" Xu Xing realized and then asked.
The current Xu Xing was fundamentally different from her past self. The former Xu Xing would naturally believe whatever was said on television without a shred of doubt. However, after experiencing many things, Xu Xing discovered that most people in this world have their own agendas. To understand their logic of action, one must know their objectives.
And now Xu Xing could see the reason for the refugees' appearance. They had been neglected in North America and thus wanted to return to their homeland. They no longer wished to remain labor there, so they wanted to go back. Upon learning this, Xu Xing's heart was immediately filled with dissatisfaction.
"If we were merely treated as labor, we wouldn't have such a significant psychological gap, because we all believe in one thing: hard work pays off. As long as we work diligently, our living conditions will eventually change. But that wasn't the case, because soon the doomsday descended!" Seeing Xu Xing's expression change, others quickly added.
"Oh, please continue," Xu Xing nodded and continued to listen to their words.
The refugees then said: "After the doomsday descended, the entire society fell into chaos. Thieves and criminals alike ran rampant, and wherever there were resources, they would plunder. Many of us were immigrants, inherently honest and never one to pick fights, so we became easy targets. These people, armed with guns, robbed us of our valuables, even our food for survival."
"At that time, you should have fought back. How could you remain weak? The more you are weak, the more others will bully you. Don't you understand this principle?" Xu Xing said with dissatisfaction.
"How could we not understand this principle? After all, we have all studied and received good education. We also know the saying, 'Are kings and generals born to be so?' But when we wanted to resist, we were met with the opposition of the entire society!" a Chinese person said helplessly.
"When we bought guns and prepared to band together and fight, the entire society began to target us immigrants, including our fellow Chinese who had immigrated for two or three generations. They started to exploit us," another person said dejectedly.
"This is strange. If everyone is of Chinese descent, they should naturally band together for support. But why would these people who immigrated two or three generations ago attack you? I can't understand it," Xu Xing honestly voiced her doubts.
When she brought this up, the surrounding refugees seemed to have a lot of resentment to express, and they spoke one after another: "Although these people are also of Chinese descent, they can no longer speak Chinese. They have completely become North Americans. They don't care if we are their compatriots. These people are completely traitors, showing no mercy when dealing with their own people. Many of the policies targeting us originated from these traitors."
"In the cities, we were not allowed to have a place to settle, because people in the cities feared we would rebel. Many people were also expelling us from the cities. Even when we wanted to farm, our resources would be plundered. We would grow food, and the next day it would be stolen. Even when we fled to the mountains, these people showed no mercy, even controlling drones to bomb us. Therefore, in North America, this land, we have absolutely no sense of belonging. We live like neither humans nor ghosts every day. We dream of returning to our country." someone else said, weeping.
After listening to the accounts of those around her, Xu Xing roughly understood their situation. They were indeed in a very miserable state here, and their desire to return to their homeland was understandable. However, she clearly couldn't help them, as she had come to North America with the ship owner and traveled by glider.
Two people could cross the Pacific Ocean directly using their abilities by glider. However, if she brought too many people, it would be impossible to move. Even a single airplane could not carry so many people. Not to mention that on her way back, she still had to carry precious cultural relics, which were far more valuable than people.
"I wish I could help you, but I can't right now. I have no means to take you back. Moreover, traveling by ship now is too risky. If we encounter sea beasts at sea and a disaster occurs, everyone will die in the sea. If we travel by plane, it's not easy either," Xu Xing honestly stated her predicament. She really wanted to help, but she couldn't help in any way.
"Immortal Xu, please save us! We Chinese immigrants are barely surviving. If you don't help us, we will truly die in a foreign land, without even a place to be buried. Please, for the sake of us being compatriots, take us back!" the surrounding refugees cried out.
Xu Xing was always a soft-hearted person. Seeing the crowds around her weeping, she felt great pity. She pondered whether she should ask the City Lord to take pity on these people and find a way to take them back to their country.
As Xu Xing was hesitating, a woman holding a child suddenly appeared before her. Her face was haggard, and she looked to be in her thirties. She said excitedly, "My father is Professor Niu Baiye. I heard he works in Yuzhou. Please, for my father's sake, take us back!"
"What? You are Dean Niu's daughter? He never mentioned this to us!" Xu Xing was stunned upon hearing this.
The woman quickly replied, "This is true. My mother and I immigrated to North America wanting a better life, but my father strongly disagreed. So we made the decision to leave China without his consent. But then the doomsday descended, and we suffered neglect here. Two years ago, my mother also passed away. I wanted to call back home to ask for my father's help, but with the chaos, I had no opportunity to call and no ability to cross the ocean. I could only miss him. Now that I've met someone who knows my father, I'm truly happy."
Hearing this, Xu Xing appeared very troubled. But then, as she lowered her head, she saw a child in the woman's arms. The child looked to be just over a year old, a mere infant. This infant was different from ordinary children. While other children were lively and active, this one appeared sickly.
"I cannot make this decision on my own. I need to go back and consult with the City Lord. That is, the Fengshen you mentioned! You wait here for news. I will definitely tell you once I have any," Xu Xing then said to the crowd of refugees.
The Chinese refugees were immediately very moved and kept kowtowing to thank Xu Xing. Xu Xing could only hurry back and try to get Shen Feng's approval.
Xu Xing found Shen Feng and directly told him about what she had just witnessed. However, Shen Feng was timing something, realizing that the meat stewing in the pressure cooker was ready. He then opened the lid and said, "Dinner! We'll talk about other things after we eat."
"In my current situation, how can I have the appetite to eat? They are our compatriots! How can we stand by and do nothing? City Lord, please say something!" Xu Xing said with distress.
"I would like to say something now, but I am also worried that what I say might not be pleasant to hear!" Shen Feng scooped a piece of meat onto a plate, cut it with a knife, and said to Xu Xing.
Compared to what Xu Xing had mentioned, Shen Feng clearly cared more about the steaming venison in front of him. The venison had been stewed until it was tender. Although the texture wasn't great, being able to eat such fresh meat in the dead of winter was a good thing.
"City Lord, are you going to stand by and do nothing? They are our compatriots!" Hearing Shen Feng say this, Xu Xing guessed his true intentions.
"Stop, stop, stop. They are not our compatriots. After immigrating, they ceased to be. Understand this: they are merely opportunists who have left their motherland!" Shen Feng shrugged and then began to heartily savor the well-cooked venison.