Our Goal Is Noble

"Every time I come here, I can't help but marvel—you, this... 'Druid'? It's truly unbelievable."

The massive wooden doors swung open slowly as Melinda drove her Smart car inside, as if entering a forest-themed luxury hotel.

During New York's coldest two months, the people of the Benevolence Society witnessed a natural miracle.

With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s help in keeping things under wraps, Oaks could finally go all out and show them whether this deal was worth the price.

The Benevolence Society headquarters was a giant treehouse that had literally "grown" into place.

And with shareholder Tony's support, the treehouse quickly transformed into a well-planned office.

Now, as Oaks had said, the Benevolence Society was a broad-spectrum environmental nonprofit.

With S.H.I.E.L.D.'s connections and Melinda's personal coordination, all official procedures sailed through without a hitch.

Under Zhang's professional planning, the Benevolence Society rapidly established a scientific organizational structure and entered deep cooperation with the New York Environmental Foundation.

The Slums residents, already honed to reliability by Vice President Blaze, quickly stepped into their roles. After intense training, they threw themselves into brand-new lives.

These homeless, disabled, and socially oppressed people at the bottom of society—mostly Black and Latino—truly welcomed their own spring.

As members of the Benevolence Society, they swore to fight for nature, protect the environment, and safeguard wildlife.

They had shed the lowbrow interests of sociological issues, elevating their thoughts to striving for the welfare of all humanity.

Their ideological shift was so fast and so thorough that even Melinda wondered if Oaks had brainwashed them.

But in reality, it was all the gradual influence of Little Rainforest and Blaze Clark over more than a year.

You could say they had been utterly disillusioned with their old lives, and the Benevolence Society was where they found self-worth.

Of course, Oaks's push played a part too—people rejected by society are those who don't fit in.

And not fitting in could stem from mainstream discrimination, or from mainstream society being unable to grasp their lofty ideals.

For these pitiful souls at the bottom, just a touch of tranquil natural magic could smoothly elevate their thinking.

It wasn't that I didn't measure up to society; it was that I had transcended it, so they rejected us.

Simply put, the Benevolence Society now saw protecting nature as its sacred mission.

But that didn't mean they were anti-human, anti-technology, or anti-urbanization.

That was the biggest difference between the Benevolence Society and extremist groups.

Under Oaks's influence, they championed "natural balance."

The balance between humanity and nature was essential for the world's long-term development.

As part of humanity, technology was the primary productive force and a necessary means of progress. In the process of development, damage to nature was inevitable.

Nature's backlash against humanity was nothing new, yet humanity still hadn't truly awakened.

We, the Benevolence Society, are the awakened, the prophets, the pioneers. We're not politicians—we act to wake humanity's reverence for nature.

Our cause is just; our goal is noble!

Riding the peak of New York's greening plan, the Benevolence Society's concept of natural balance drew widespread attention as soon as it debuted—especially riding Tony's top-tier fame and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s deliberate nudges.

The Benevolence Society and the Environmental Foundation spontaneously gathered saplings, and with astonishing efficiency, completed the entire Brooklyn Slums' municipal greening targets in just one month!

Public reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.

Mainstream media and the public even began re-evaluating the Slums, long seen as "New York's cancer."

Oaks Lin, the Benevolence Society's president and a genius biologist devoted to environmental protection, once again became a social focal point.

As for resistance...

What kind of person would oppose a nonprofit that just wants to plant trees for you?

No protests, no fanatical slogans. They didn't ask for your money, your labor, your promotion, or even your membership.

They just quietly did their work, with no time or energy for extra chatter.

And the first Chinese Spring Festival after its founding marked the start of the Benevolence Society's new journey.

"Blaze, our manpower barely covers the current scope, but later we'll inevitably face shortages and people sneaking in with ulterior motives."

In the president's office, Oaks was meeting with Vice President Blaze and liaison Melinda.

"So don't let up on personnel training—it's the core of our cause.

Even if we don't get newcomers with the same ideological level as our current members, that's fine.

Society's environmental awareness is waking up. Before long, a green revolution will sweep the globe.

And we are the vanguard of the era!"

"Yes, President. I believe that without a doubt!"

Blaze was arguably the most steadfast believer in the Benevolence Society, handling personnel vetting and ideological education.

The rough, fierce mercenary brute didn't spout grand theories, but his unshakable faith gave him an uncanny eye for people, earning the respect of all members.

"When Zhang gets back, keep things at your current scale—steady and solid. Our name is already out there. Next, refine the internal mechanisms. Our goal isn't just a little New York City."

Oaks patted Blaze's shoulder, giving the Latino giant a reassuring smile.

"Convene all members in half an hour. I'll show you my new invention."

"Yes, President. Your inventions are always so breathtaking."

Blaze sighed. Over the past two months, they had witnessed countless miraculous events.

Such was the capability of a top-tier scientist!

"When Zhang returns, I'll be taking a long trip. This time, it'll be quite a while—about half a year. I place great importance on the 1KP Project.

Before I leave, I've already developed something new that can lay a profitable foundation for the Benevolence Society's continued smooth growth.

The Foundation and I provided some initial funding, but that's far from enough. For an organization to develop long-term, we can't have members working for free."

Oaks cut off what Blaze was about to say:

"Listen to me. You're still living in human society, after all.

Today, I'll be handing out everyone's first month's salary—in cash!

Then, join New York's Spring Festival celebration—you've earned it."

"...Yes, President!"

The burly Latino man wiped the corner of his eye, bowed, and withdrew.

"You're going out for half a year? The Amazon again? You never told me that before."

Melinda shot Oaks a glance:

"And, you're showing a new invention today? I thought the salary distribution today was already enough work."

"Come on, Mel, come with me and see my masterpiece from yesterday—Oak Bar!"