After answering reporters' questions, Councilor Underwood left the gymnasium with the principal and his entourage to inspect the school. The rest of the people left one after another. Alex took this opportunity to ask Dr. Michelle some questions about studying and choosing a university.
"In addition to ensuring good academic performance, you should also participate in more social activities. Compared to ordinary people, you already have a great advantage, as long as you don't give the outside world a stereotype of a street kid."
"...Actually, it doesn't matter. Negative behaviors during adolescence are easily forgiven. People like Superman, and they also like stories of ordinary people who have developed bad habits and redeemed themselves. They don't contradict each other. In fact, the latter means that he has extraordinary perseverance to overcome himself, so he is still a Superman. But that's for the future. It won't help you apply to prestigious universities."
"There's no need to rush to graduate early; use that time to build your resume."
"Be cautious with political activities, but you can participate more in areas related to equality and public welfare. Our organization can offer some assistance in these areas, but of course, you'll need to actively seek them out yourself first..."
"We recently had a contest to write a letter to Mandela, which is aimed at teenagers. You can try writing some essays and don't be afraid to say the wrong thing. Just send them to me and I will check them first. If your views are outstanding, you may be selected to participate in our youth program in South Africa... Again, these activities will make your resume look very good. Both equality organizations and the Democratic Party are very willing to give opportunities to African teenagers like you."
They chatted as they walked, and Alex only said goodbye after seeing Michelle to the parking lot. He could tell that he had made a good first impression on her, as she had patiently offered some sound advice.
Sitting in Hayden's Dodge Dynasty, "Your speech today was perfect!" Hayden exclaimed. "I couldn't have done this when I was your age."
"We are so proud of you, child." Aunt Susie hugged Alex tightly.
"This kid will be a big shot," Hayden agreed.
"Thank you, I just read from the script. I didn't write many parts myself." Alex said modestly. Many people around him thought he would become a big shot. Old Joe had said something similar earlier, but there was nothing to be complacent about. It would be a failure if a transmigrator couldn't become a big shot.
Hayden started the car and suddenly laughed. "Did someone teach you what you said to Underwood just now? 'I'll donate to you,' haha, I noticed Underwood paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. He seemed really pleased. You know, most people would say 'I'll vote for you,' not 'I'll donate to you…'"
"Nobody taught me..."
Alex pulled a pen and checkbook from his pocket. "I'm just a straightforward person. If I genuinely support someone, I'll pay up. No problem. Uh... how much should I fill in?"
"The individual limit is two hundred dollars, so filling in one hundred dollars or more would be more appropriate," Hayden replied.
Alex wrote down the number 150, signed his name, tore off the check, and handed it to Hayden.
"I'll deliver it to Underwood's campaign office tomorrow." Since finalizing the deal with Daniel for $10,000 plus $150,000, Hayden's opinion of Alex has greatly improved. To better serve Alex , he has already transferred some of his less important artists to other companies and occasionally flatters Alex .
Alex was generally satisfied with Hayden, but the 10% commission was a bit too much. "I can't give him 10% again in the next contract..." Alex looked at the back of Hayden's head as he drove, making a decision in his heart.
"Are you working on a new song lately?" Hayden asked.
"No..." Without the Flash back cheat , Alex has no new song to sing. He's starting to have some doubts. What if the Flash back cheat is a one-time thing...? That would be troublesome. Should he go out and "gather inspiration"? If Connie hadn't taken him to the secondhand store last time, he wouldn't have gotten that song either.
"I've accumulated enough credits for this semester."
"I'm planning to stop coming to school for a while." Alex then asked, "Is there any progress on the transfer?"
"Uh…" Hayden hesitated for a moment, "Most of the schools with a large Black… African American population don't meet your requirements, and you don't want the school to be too 'white'. As for private schools… good private schools are beyond your budget."
"I understand." Alex knew he was asking for too much. "Keep looking, just get it sorted out before the start of the next semester."
"You're transferring schools?" Aunt Susie asked in surprise.
"It's not that I want to transfer schools," Alex replied. "It's that we need to move out together, move out of the southern part of the city."
"Why?" Aunt Susie seemed a little reluctant.
"This school is terrible. Tony dropped out, Connie's grades aren't good either, and I'm going to get richer and richer. Staying in this school any longer might cause trouble. You want Emily to go to a good high school, right, Aunt Susie?" Alex looked out the car window. A dark mass of people were gathered around a lit gasoline drum, idly drinking and warming themselves by the fire. He could handle the school's petty thugs for now, but those ruthless drug addicts would notice him sooner or later. They would do anything for a little bit of drug money. "Besides, Old Joe just told me that there will be a war in South City soon, and it will become increasingly dangerous here."
"War?" Hayden didn't understand. "Here?"
"The gang war is probably about fighting for territory." Alex was somewhat glad that he had earned enough money to leave in time. "Hayden, can you get me a pager? We can keep in touch by phone as much as possible. And you should go to the South City less often; your car is too new."
"OK, I understand. It's true, I get a little nervous every time I drive near your house." Hayden was pleased to hear this.
"Such a big matter…" Aunt Susie hesitated. "Where are we moving to? And what about the relief agency…"
"Forget about welfare, I can support you all in the future." Alex had already planned out the future. "First, we'll find a suitable high school, then we'll rent a house nearby, and then we'll help Connie find a community college. We can't go to a better University, we don't have enough money."
"You're such a good boy." Aunt Susie hugged Alex with emotion and cried her eyes out. "I knew you were different from the other N*gers. Tony, he's been hanging around with Little Lowry for so long and he's never brought home a single penny."
"Alex is a good kid," Hayden chimed in. "Not many people would go to such lengths for their families, even among us white people. Many of us leave home for big cities at eighteen and never go back, then send our parents to nursing homes when they get old…"
"Maybe it's because I'm half Indian..." Alex patted Aunt Susie's back. She was too heavy; if he hugged her any longer, she would be strangled.
"What about Ellie?" Aunt Susie let go of him, sat up straight, and wiped the tears from her face.
"Ellie? How did you know about us..." Alex was surprised.
"Hmph, Ellie would love for the whole world to know she's your girlfriend, how could I not hear about it?" Aunt Susie said smugly.
Alex sighed, "What else can we do? Break up, since we won't be in the same school anymore."
"You little rascal!"
Aunt Susie patted Alex arm lightly, "I thought you would be a completely good man."
"They're just boyfriend and girlfriend, not married, so breaking up is perfectly normal."
Alex shrugged.