In Ceres, children from poor families could still avoid bad things as long as they studied hard.
But in America, if you were born poor and lived in a crime-ridden community, avoiding crime was practically impossible.
The movie American Graffiti, made by Americans themselves, had already explained this thoroughly.
So River wanting to earn more money and move his sister's family out of the trailer park to somewhere safer was perfectly understandable in itself.
"However, besides money, there's another, more important reason. The events this time and last time made me see clearly just how corrupt and depraved the NCPD is."
"I originally thought that even if I couldn't change the NCPD's crooked ways, I could at least change what I saw within the limits of my abilities."
"But I was wrong. I can't change anything."
"No matter how much I do, this city's evil doesn't decrease in the slightest."
"Besides, I'm not a child, Su. The trick of slapping someone and then giving them candy is something I understood when I was still young."
"Unless I join Forte and the others in their corruption, they'll still find every way possible to push me out."
"Rather than be thrown out in disgrace, I'd rather straighten my back and leave with dignity."
Su Xiao's blessing earlier hadn't been fake.
But Su Xiao was just as happy that River could choose him.
"All right, then. Welcome aboard."
"Now I can't address you the way I did before. From now on, I'll have to change what I call you—Boss, President, or something like that."
"They all call me Boss. You can call me that too."
River spoke somewhat awkwardly.
"Sure, Boss. By the way, can I report to the company a few days late? Randy is safe now, but my sister doesn't know