Who agrees Who opposes

Director Li glanced at his officer, then at Cao Cheng.

“You two know each other?”

The officer nodded. “Reporting to Director Li, we’ve met once before. This young man caught a robber last time. I was in a hurry back then and forgot to ask for his details. Later, I couldn’t find him.”

Cao Cheng rolled his eyes.

I’m at the square every damn day. If you really wanted to find me, how hard could it be?

And are the street cameras just for show?

Now you’re feeding me this bullshit.

You bastard…

You never even tried to look for me.

Can’t be bothered to call you out.

The only reason you ‘recognized’ me now is because you’re scared I’d bring up last time first.

Pretty slick, kid.

Director Li beamed. “I had no idea, Xiao Cao! You’ve even caught a robber before. Seems you’ve got the makings of a cop in your bones. Seriously consider what I said earlier—I’ll recommend you for police academy. Otherwise, it’d be a waste of talent.”

“I’ll think about it. By the way, Director Li, about that robber I helped catch—any rewards?” Cao Cheng cut straight to the point.

“……” Director Li.

“……” The officer.

[Ding~ Negative emotions +10]

This wave of negativity definitely came from that no-name officer.

Cao Cheng smiled. “A commendation would do too. Like ‘Model Citizen’ or ‘Brave and Righteous Citizen.’”

Director Li chuckled. “Of course, of course. There’s not just a commendation but also a cash reward for bravery. I’ll put in the application for you.”

“Then I’ll thank Director Li in advance. And I’ll seriously consider your suggestion.”

“Great, it’s settled then. I’ll wait for your call.”

---

The next day.

Day three since ‘Fourth Sister,’ the top donor, left.

Miss her!

The situation was still unfolding.

Especially in the neighborhood, where the aunties’ gossip had blown yesterday’s events into something worthy of a blockbuster movie.

Aunt Wang, in particular, was shaken.

Thank goodness those thugs didn’t get in. Otherwise, my daughter and son could’ve been beaten, crippled, or worse…

Too terrifying.

“Aunt Wang, you really ought to thank Xiao Cao properly this time. If it weren’t for him, who knows what might’ve happened.”

“Yeah, Aunt Wang, stop arguing with him from now on.”

“This was a lifesaving favor.”

The aunties all spoke up for Cao Cheng.

Public opinion had shifted.

The masses’ eyes were sharp.

Aunt Wang forced a smile. “When did I ever argue with him? Every time, it’s me who ends up fuming. Fine, fine. I’ll bring gifts today and make peace with this little… this kid.”

“That’s more like it.”

“Oh, speak of the devil—here comes Xiao Cao!”

“Xiao Cao, over here!”

Cao Cheng strolled over, thermos in hand, grinning.

Someone offered a seat, another passed sunflower seeds, and a third fanned him.

Look at this.

Look at my grassroots support.

“Oh, Aunt Wang’s here too.”

Aunt Wang forced a laugh. “Uh, yeah. About yesterday… thanks.”

“Ah, no big deal. Like I always say, squabbles between neighbors are just internal conflicts. Even if we fight, it’s all in the family. But if outsiders try to mess with our compound, we’ve got to unite and fight back.” Cao Cheng raised a fist.

“Damn right!”

“Exactly!”

“Xiao Cao’s got a point. We’ve got to stand together against outsiders.”

“Xiao Cao’s a college grad, after all. This level of awareness is rare.”

Cao Cheng waved off the praise modestly.

His words had an escape clause, though.

I’ll still piss off Aunt Wang whenever I feel like it.

No way I’m letting go of my second—no, now third—biggest source of negativity.

But Cao Cheng’s new target was shifting to her son, Little Zhou.

Last night, Aunt Wang had laid into him with brutal efficiency.

Kid’s temper is explosive.

Probably because he’s young and rebellious, his negative emotions spiked way harder than Aunt Wang’s.

Dude’s constantly seething.

At this rate, Little Zhou would overtake Aunt Wang soon.

Then there were those thugs.

More points to farm.

The musclehead was already ranked first.

Young Master Cao kicked his teeth out yesterday—guy couldn’t even speak clearly. Still in the hospital, occasionally radiating fresh negativity.

Of course, this was all speculation. The system didn’t track names.

Close enough.

Young Master Cao wasn’t the nitpicking type.

No need to obsess over every detail.

---

“Everyone, I’ve got an idea. Not sure if I should bring it up…” Cao Cheng smiled at the circle of aunties.

“Go ahead, Xiao Cao.”

“What’s the idea?”

Cao Cheng’s grin widened. “Lately, the streets aren’t safe. Too many hoodlums and petty thieves around, putting folks like us at risk. So we’ve got to band together…”

He laid out his plan: a civilian organization.

Mobilize the retired and stay-at-home women to form a group called “Sanjiang’s Eyes.”

Yep.

Modeled after the legendary “Chaoyang Masses” from his dreams.

Even though, timeline-wise, that Earth’s version hadn’t been officially recognized yet.

That’d take another two years.

One of Beijing’s four great mysterious forces.

The others—Xicheng Aunties, Haidian Netizens, Fengtai Mediators—wouldn’t emerge for another decade.

But Cao Cheng was jumping the gun.

First mover advantage.

The emotional payoff—both negative and positive—would be insane.

But this wasn’t just about farming emotions.

As a righteous man, a gentleman, a true knight, Young Master Cao sought to cleanse Sanjiang City’s streets single-handedly.

With great power comes great responsibility, right?

He started painting the vision.

The aunties ate it up, Aunt Wang included, buzzing like they’d mainlined adrenaline.

“All of you here—sisters, aunties, moms—some retired, some homemakers—but I know you’re good people.”

“Same as me. That’s why we’re here. Birds of a feather, as they say.”

“Am I right?”

“Damn right!”

“Absolutely!”

Cao Cheng motioned for calm, then launched into his crescendo:

“And because we’re good people, we can’t stand filth in our midst.”

“That’s how we pulled off last night’s miracle—wiping out a whole gang of thugs.”

“Director Li told me they were enforcers for some big nightclub. Drugs, fights, harassing women, gambling… a festering tumor on society.”

The crowd erupted in outrage.

Scum like that deserves to be purged!

Can’t let good people suffer!

(Okay, that was exaggerated. Real charges were just attempted disturbance—a few days in lockup. But Young Master Cao needed them to feel the threat.)

He paused, then dropped the kicker:

“I’ve already applied for commendations and cash rewards from Director Li.”

"Although the bonus might not be much, I know everyone isn’t doing good deeds for the money, but for justice and the yearning for a better life in their hearts... Compared to money, I believe what everyone truly needs is a commendation banner."

"What’s a commendation banner?"

"It’s society’s recognition of your efforts, official acknowledgment of your contributions, praise for good people, our badge of honor, and the most glorious example we ordinary folks can set for our children!!"

"Let our children know that even if their mothers are retired or stay-at-home homemakers, they are still extraordinary!!!!"

"They can still make outstanding contributions to the core socialist values."

"Bravo!" A middle-aged woman exclaimed, moved to tears, and began clapping.

Clap, clap, clap...

The room immediately erupted in applause, everyone deeply resonating with the sentiment.

"So, the purpose of establishing this 'Jiangbei Community Watch' is to rely on us ordinary folks to unite and improve our neighborhood environment, community relations, and local security."

"It’s also a way for everyone to shine. Even if we’re retired aunties or stay-at-home moms, we haven’t withdrawn from society. We’re part of it, and we should stand as proud examples of honorable mothers—role models our children can look up to."

"What does everyone think?"

"Who’s in favor? Who’s against?"

Unsurprisingly, not a single objection was raised.

This is what you call...

the will of the people!