Chapter 191: The Incoming Population

Just as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words!

The day after realizing that the residents of Douglas and Pearson were living quite well despite the unusual circumstances, Karen and Kukin hopped on their beloved scooters and rode all the way to Pearson with a "vroom vroom."

Along the way, they encountered many comrades with the same idea. Traveling light, some on bicycles, others in cars, they headed to Pearson in search of any job that could provide a living.

Unfortunately, if it had been just one or two people, they might have slipped through unnoticed. But when a group of over ten people arrived, it was hard to ignore!

Almost as soon as they entered the city, this group attracted the attention of the Pearson residents. Besides a general sense of rejection, there were some particularly irate locals who loudly accused these outsiders of coming to steal their jobs.

But aside from the covert exclusion and rejection, they couldn't directly refuse these newcomers. Consequently, the pressure fell on Trifari's shoulders.

"You're not citizens of Pearson. Why are you coming here? The city government of Pearson funded this training. If you're not from Pearson, I can't accept your applications."

Feeling the intense stares from the surrounding Pearson residents and looking at the hopeful eyes of the ten or so people standing in front of him, Trifari said this with great difficulty.

"Sir, please believe us. We will work hard! I heard that after the training, we will be sent to other places. So, we shouldn't be taking jobs from the Pearson residents, right? Please, we're really struggling to survive."

As soon as Karen finished speaking, a Pearson resident immediately retorted angrily:

"What do you mean you won't be taking our jobs? These restaurant jobs are for Pearson residents. This training was funded by our city's finances, which comes from our taxpayers' money! Why should you get a free ride?"

"Exactly! You haven't paid a cent or contributed anything. Now you come here to take our jobs and say you're not taking our resources? Do you think these jobs are unlimited?"

"I heard that 26 franchise stores have been confirmed for construction, providing no more than 300 jobs. We haven't even absorbed all the unemployed in Pearson. Why should we let you take these jobs?"

"Yes! We are struggling too! We just saw a glimmer of hope, and you want us to die for your sake?"

"What's the point of talking so much? Just drive them out!"

"Drive them out!"

In the noisy HT program registration, interview, and signing site, as soon as the first "drive them out" was shouted, verbal conflicts quickly escalated into physical confrontations.

When it came to their own interests, the Pearson residents displayed immense combativeness. Of course, it might also be because they were on their home turf and had strength in numbers.

Faced with the overwhelming opposition of hundreds of Pearson residents, the dozen or so outsiders like Karen and Kukin had no choice but to leave the hall dejectedly and sit down on the steps by the roadside, looking crestfallen.

"Karen, maybe I was too optimistic. This place…"

"No, there might still be a chance! We can go to the city government and sort out our residency issues, like… becoming Pearson citizens!"

Karen looked back at the now bustling registration site with teary eyes.

If it were possible, they wouldn't have left their homes and come to this unfamiliar place to be oppressed by the locals. But if they didn't do this, what were they supposed to do? Starve to death?

"How is that possible? You saw the attitude of the Pearson residents. There's no way the city government will accept our applications now. The key issue is, we don't have houses here! What are we supposed to use to apply?"

"Houses… We can sell our houses back home and buy land here to build new ones! That's a small issue. The real problem is that even if we buy houses in Pearson, the city government might still reject our applications at this time."

This question from Kukin was answered by a middle-aged man nearby. Kukin turned to look at the man, who he remembered was called Roberts and had come from Lennox.

He didn't know much else about him, but the suggestion seemed feasible.

"Let's go ask the city government anyway. Sitting here isn't helping."

"Yes, let's go ask the Social Security Bureau and the city government!"

…

Similar incidents continued as more people came to Pearson each day after seeing the news. After the initial group of ten or so people including Kukin, only a handful of outsiders arrived daily in search of job opportunities in Pearson.

Without exception, they all faced strong opposition from the Pearson residents. As more people arrived, the resistance and hostility intensified.

Initially, the locals tried to persuade them politely. Then, they resisted and drove them away. By the end of the first week, with their patience worn thin, the Pearson residents glared menacingly at any outsider they saw.

As long as the outsiders didn't go near the HT stores, everything was fine. They were welcome to buy things. But if they showed any intention of approaching the HT stores, they were told to leave. If they refused, the Pearson residents would unite to drive them out.

Meanwhile, similar situations were occurring in Douglas. As a result, the number of citizenship applications on the desks of Mayors Reberdin and Benjamin increased significantly.

This situation brought them both pain and joy.

The joy, of course, was obvious. When had they ever seen so many people wanting to join Pearson and Douglas of their own accord?

More residents meant higher tax revenue and greater purchasing power, which are crucial for economic development.

The opportunity for city expansion and development was right in front of them. No mayor could resist the allure of such a political achievement.

But the pain was real too.

If these people joined without having jobs available, they would become a burden instead of a productive force.

While fantasizing about the city's bright future, they also worried that if they allowed too many new residents without jobs, the economic pressure would ruin the current stability.

After enduring the pressure for ten days, Benjamin, who was under relatively less pressure, couldn't resist the temptation of such a political achievement. On a sunny afternoon, he went to Blake Bank.

After Goodman announced his arrival, Benjamin pushed open the door to Carter's office and looked at the young man, almost a child, who was struggling with his high school homework.

Benjamin's gaze grew more complicated as he watched.