"Jiang Yexing also has box men now. I saw a few near the subway station in Binhai City a few days ago," Shao Wan said. "Box men are exactly what they sound like: a large cardboard box with a man inside, moving like a hermit crab."
"Are they some kind of beggars?" Jiang Ye rubbed his temples, as if he had heard of it somewhere.
He suddenly remembered that on Jiedian Star, in the classical literature section of the bookstore owned by Cen Yemeng, there was a thin book, as thick as chopsticks, by Kobo Abe titled "The Box Man." He had picked it up and flipped through a few pages before putting it back. At the time, a few glances made him think the book was quite good, and he considered buying it to read, but then he was captivated by the beautiful female owner and completely forgot about it.
"Yes, most of them are beggars. Middle-aged people who are bankrupt or unemployed youths from difficult families who choose to beg on the streets to make a living. There are also a small number of nihilists who have good jobs and housing but have psychological issues. One day they suddenly decide to become box men, similar to becoming a monk, but hiding in plain sight in the city," Shao Wan explained. "There are also a very few perverts who use cameras in their boxes to secretly photograph passing beauties and upload them online for profit. Last year, one such person was caught. A young girl in a short skirt noticed a cardboard box following her, rushed forward, stepped on the box, and called the police. The box man inside couldn't escape and was arrested and sentenced to three years."
Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow, surprised by this aspect of it.
"As for the reasons for wearing a cardboard box, firstly, many beggars are dirty, and people dislike getting close to them. But with a cardboard box, not only can they not see the dirty, smelly beggar inside, but they even appear somewhat cute and silly, which makes many people willing to give alms. Secondly, many waterproof cardboard boxes can provide shelter from rain, shade from the sun, and prevent death from hailstones. Thirdly, some beggars with social anxiety can gather the courage to ask passersby for money with the help of the box." Shao Wan paused. "It's also said to have a function of concealed encirclement. Some familiar box men will ambush near street corner trash heaps. When they see a suitable begging target, several boxes will suddenly move out to surround the passerby, and they won't let them leave without giving money."
Jiang Ye nodded, thinking it was like something out of a nature documentary, an ambush for prey.
"However, if I may be so bold," Jiang Ye began, "if your friend you're recommending only has the 'accomplishment' of being a box man, he's probably not suitable for a high-level position, is he?"
"He has reached very high levels in both politics and business," Shao Wan said. "His highest official positions were Planet Councilor and Governor. But because he was too righteous and hated evil, he reported many of his superiors, colleagues, and subordinates to prison, resulting in him being framed, losing his position, and being sentenced to death. Later, a high-ranking righteous individual came forward to overturn his case and wanted to reinstate him, but he no longer agreed. After his release, he went into business and within six years, he made his company public. But then he suddenly developed psychological problems."
"Psychological problems?" Jiang Ye frowned.
"Once during the New Year, he was gambling on a luxury cruise ship. He won two hundred million in one night, a briefcase full of checks. After playing, he sat by the ship's railing, drinking. While drinking, he suddenly threw the briefcase of checks into the sea and then jumped into the sea himself, wanting to drown," Shao Wan said. "It was I who dived in to save him; if it had been a little later, he would have drowned. Later, when I visited him in the hospital, he said that as he sat on the ship looking at the sea, he suddenly felt a strong sense of world-weariness. He felt that the society of Hanqing Star was too ugly, and people from the bottom to the top were like beasts. Although he had succeeded, he felt disgusted with life, so he jumped into the sea."
"And then he became a box man?" Jiang Ye asked.
"That's right," Shao Wan nodded. "He said he wanted to live a simple life, so he went to the streets to become a box man. To avoid many people asking him to come out of retirement, he only told a few close friends where he was begging, and I was one of them."
"When you are elected as the Planet Mayor," Jiang Ye said, convinced, "I will go with you to find this person. We'll meet and talk. If he's suitable, we can offer him a position."
...
The news of Cen Yemeng stepping down as Jiang Yexing's Planet Mayor was broadcast globally.
The news was very brief, only a few dozen characters, stating the facts.
Less than five minutes after it aired, it shot to the top of the trending topics on Jiang Yexing.
To Jiang Ye's surprise, the netizens reacted strongly, and his social media was flooded that evening.
A full thirteen million people @Jiang Yexing's Commander-in-Chief, questioning why the Planet Mayor was suddenly removed.
"Did you guys break up?"
"We all love and respect Planet Mayor Cen, you can't just replace her casually!"
"Did you get our permission? What right do you have to do this!"
"I wait by the TV every day for the news programs, just to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Planet Mayor. Are you going to strip away even this small joy?"
"Why don't they remove you and let Planet Mayor Cen stay on Jiang Yexing!"
"We want to rename Jiang Yexing to Yemeng Star!"
"Please! Let Planet Mayor Cen stay!"
The internet was in an uproar, and the netizens were furious. In countless families across Jiang Yexing, millions of keyboards were tapped by angry hands, and within just two hours, Jiang Ye's account was overwhelmed, and his homepage became inaccessible.
Su Yueming called, asking if they should try to control the online public opinion.
"Control what? Let them curse if they want to," Jiang Ye said dismissively.
As soon as Su Yueming hung up, Cen Yemeng's call came in.
"I saw the online public opinion on Jiang Yexing. Everyone is reacting so intensely," Cen Yemeng said, sounding surprised. "I thought I didn't have much presence on Jiang Yexing, but I didn't expect everyone to like me so much."
"I'm also very surprised," Jiang Ye said. "Someone even left a message asking me to leave Jiang Yexing and keep you, which is truly disheartening."
"With billions of people, there are bound to be all sorts of opinions. Husband, don't be jealous. Most people on Jiang Yexing must still support you," Cen Yemeng giggled. "Do you need me to issue a statement explaining my resignation?"
"No need to issue one," Jiang Ye said. "Just quietly wait for your husband's account to be thoroughly trashed."
Cen Yemeng hung up the phone, laughing heartily.
Ten minutes later, she pinned a statement to her social media account on Jiang Yexing.
[I've noticed many netizens inquiring about my resignation as Planet Mayor of Jiang Yexing, and my husband, Mr. Jiang Ye, has also complained to me, so I'm here to report and explain the situation to everyone.]
[I voluntarily resigned as Planet Mayor of Jiang Yexing because my work focus has shifted to Liuxing Star, making it difficult to manage matters on Jiang Yexing. I do not wish to be a negative example of holding a position without doing any work, hence I proposed my resignation. Jiang Ye tried his best to persuade me to stay, but I eventually convinced him.]
[The position of Planet Mayor of Jiang Yexing will soon undergo a high-level election, voted on by representatives of the people and think tanks. I believe the next Planet Mayor of Jiang Yexing will be more professional and passionate about work than I was. I hope everyone can understand my decision and support the work of the new Planet Mayor.]
[I will retain my seat on the Jiang Yexing Think Tank and my Jiang Yexing citizenship. Jiang Yexing is my second home, with many of my friends, and it is the first planet managed by my husband. I have deep affection for Jiang Yexing and everyone on Jiang Yexing. We will meet again as friends in the future. I apologize for any shortcomings in my past work. I also hope that everyone on Jiang Yexing will live better and better lives from now on.]
[Ordinary Citizen of Jiang Yexing, Cen Yemeng]