Jackson drove his stretch Lincoln, which was parked in front of his house, and sped towards the mansion of his boss, the oligarch Yuri.
Today is the day Yuri's family goes on a picnic.
When he occasionally stopped to wait for the streetlights, he would sometimes think of what his ex-wife had just said—
He can neglect himself, but he can't neglect his two children.
"Okay, I'll try to bring it up later when I have the chance..."
With a plan in mind, Jackson got back on track.
He soon arrived at Yuri's mansion.
Looking at this mansion, Jackson felt a mix of emotions.
The world now largely operates under a rationing system, where everyone receives basic necessities from the government. Market economies have essentially disappeared, and many assets have been confiscated.
However, this does not mean that the various interest groups that existed will collapse. Some people can still maintain a high standard of living by relying on the assets they have handed over and their past connections.
Yuri is undoubtedly that kind of person.
Although he no longer enjoys the lavish lifestyle of the past, this oligarch still possesses a large ration even in North America, thanks to his connections, the assets he hands over, and the alliances he forms with others. He continues to enjoy his mansions and luxury cars.
While other civilians didn't have to worry about starving, they still needed to find work to receive a larger share of their rations.
This is one of the reasons why society can still maintain its basic functions, and it is also the main reason why Jackson is still working as a driver.
Otherwise, where would he get the alcohol to drink until he's hungover?
We've arrived at our destination.
A stretched Lincoln makes a U-turn in front of the mansion.
Yuri's twin sons were already waiting for him at the door. When they saw Jackson arrive, they began to complain about his lateness with a disgruntled expression.
Jackson got out to help the two with their luggage and put it in the car, and offered a brief apology. Yuri and his lover then came out of the mansion, looking preoccupied.
Yuri didn't say much about Jackson's lateness, and quietly got into the car with a blank expression.
In silence, the vehicle departed.
Throughout the journey, Jackson kept a close eye on Yuri's expression, not wanting to miss any opportunity to interject.
However, Yuri's face was as black as ink; it was obvious he was in a bad mood...
Just as Jackson was racking his brains to create a buzz, Yuri's phone suddenly rang, and the fat man immediately answered it without hesitation.
Through the rearview mirror, Jackson even observed that Yuri's face was filled with anxiety and anticipation, as if he were weighed down by the thought of finding out his exam results at any moment.
However, Jackson soon learned that his boss had gotten a bad grade...
Because less than two seconds after Yuri answered the phone, all the anticipation on his face vanished.
"Is there really no other way? I still have money, no, I mean I still have a lot of ration quotas on hand, which can be exchanged."
"Hey, old friend, I know, it's just a few train tickets, that's no big deal for you. You definitely have connections in the Mutual Aid Society Association branch..."
"Please be lenient with me a little longer. I'll remember your help for the rest of my life. I don't want to wait any longer. Why shouldn't I go back to China? Are you kidding me? Do you think I'll have a good ending if I go back now?"
Yuri spoke English with a Russian accent, his tone becoming increasingly soft.
Jackson then realized why his boss was in such a bad mood today.
Clearly, Yuri also wanted to board the time train and leave this dangerous world ahead of time, but his pride seemed to have no effect.
When Jackson realized that even he, a seemingly all-powerful oligarch, couldn't get train tickets, he couldn't help but sigh.
Well, his ex-wife's task has failed.
The car continued driving, and Yuri kept making and receiving calls, all related to the time-travel ticket, while his lover and two sons watched anxiously from the side.
The whole family was eagerly awaiting good news.
However, from Yuri's increasingly weary and dejected tone, Jackson could tell that there was no hope for this.
His family's hopes of getting a ride were also dashed.
However, Jackson did not come away empty-handed.
At least he knew that it wasn't just his boss who was rigging train tickets; anyone with a bit of influence on Earth was now trying every possible way to pull strings.
However, these people ended up with the same result as Yuri.
Forget about train tickets, they didn't even Mutual Aid Society First Division.
We haven't even gotten close to the door.
That's some consolation.
Looking at Yuri in the rearview mirror, Jackson resisted the urge to whistle.
Because of this incident, Yuri's family wasn't in high spirits for their outing; they went out in the morning and returned in the afternoon.
The car stopped outside the gate again.
Jackson had just gotten out of the car and was about to open the door for Yuri when he noticed an unfamiliar car following behind.
"Who's that?" The thought had barely formed in Jackson's mind when he noticed a prominent sign on the car—
The national flag, and the " Mutual Aid Society.
He immediately realized what was happening.
This is the vehicle of the North America Mutual Aid Society Branch.
Those who came down from above also wore badges on their chests and were dressed in the branch's standard uniform.
A young white man approached with a smile, "Is this Mr. Yuri's home? We are special envoys from the North America Mutual Aid Society Branch, and we have good news to tell him."
Jackson's gaze unconsciously drifted towards Yuri.
Did he manage to pull some strings with his boss?
Yuri was equally bewildered by the arrival of the branch staff, but he was immediately overjoyed, realizing that this was an opportunity, and quickly invited the people in their car to rest inside.
"No, no, no, we're not going in. We're just here to deliver a notice to you."
"What notification?" Yuri asked, his accent heavily influenced by Russian.
The special envoy handed Yuri several rectangular sheets of stiff paper with writing in both Chinese and English: "This is a time-travel ticket. I think you should know what it is, since you've been searching for it everywhere..."
Looking at the train ticket in front of him, Yuri's breathing became rapid, and his face flushed red, like a drunken bear.
After a long silence, he finally asked, panting, "How can I get this ticket? What do you want?"
The special envoy still had a smile on his face.
"We don't need anything special, you can just take it, but these tickets were negotiated by our North America Branch and they have a very short validity period, so if you want to get on the train, you'd better hurry, tomorrow may be the last day."
Also, just a reminder, the next international flight is at 11 PM tonight...
Wow!
No sooner had the special envoy finished speaking than Yuri reached out and snatched all the train tickets from his hand.
"We're leaving right away!"
Yuri grabbed his two children and hurriedly led them into the house to pack their luggage.
The special envoy watched from behind with a sly smile, like a fox who had succeeded in its scheme.
Jackson, standing nearby, was completely baffled as to what was happening.
Why was his boss suddenly able to get train tickets?
After pondering for a long time, Jackson also approached the special envoy:
"Excuse me, I'd also like one of those tickets..."
The special envoy immediately understood his purpose and prepared to verify his identity. "Who are you?"
"I..." Jackson was about to explain his identity, but he stopped abruptly after uttering only one syllable.
These tickets are clearly not for ordinary people.
If he said he was a driver, who would even listen to him?
Thinking this, Jackson immediately changed his tune. "I'm a writer..."
He was still thinking about how to introduce himself next, perhaps mentioning his few famous works whose names nobody could remember—would that give him a better chance of success?
However, the envoy's reaction was more intense than Jackson had imagined. The young white man gave him a surprised look. "A writer?!"
"Yes, the writer!" Jackson instinctively straightened up, trying to keep himself as upright as possible.
After sizing him up, the special envoy glanced at Yuri's mansion in front of him, then exchanged a look with the others in his car.
The fact that a writer appeared at Yuri's mansion must mean he has close ties with Yuri; he might even be one of those writers responsible for brainwashing and indoctrinating the common people.
The special envoy nodded, then quickly pulled out a few train tickets from his pocket, saying with a smile, "Bring your whole family along, the flight's at 11 pm tonight..."
"Thank you, thank you!" Jackson was overjoyed that things had gone so smoothly. He looked at the train ticket in his hand and hurriedly took out his phone to contact his ex-wife, completely unaware of the special envoy's meaningful smile.
A few hours later.
International flights carrying the two families, along with countless other social elites and financial tycoons, took off from various airports, heading straight for the other side of the ocean.
What puzzled Yuri, however, was that some people on the same plane as them...
It seems like you're a little reluctant?
at the same time.
Zhang Tianyuan was talking to Elder Zhou.
"Once these people arrive, just put them under house arrest. Make up any excuse. For example, say there were irregularities or procedural errors in the negotiations between the North America Branch that I ordered to stop. Tell them to stay quietly in the room until they get on the bus, and not to go anywhere or contact anyone."
Elder Zhou, who was standing nearby with a phone on speakerphone, chuckled and slowly said, "After these people disappear, Mr. Thomas's work should go much more smoothly."
Thomas was on the other end of the phone.
The exhausted Black man thanked Zhang Tianyuan and Elder Zhou profusely.
A day earlier, he felt that there was no way to control the insects in China, so he had no choice but to call Elder Zhou for help.
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhou quickly came up with a plan—
They used train tickets to lure over those who were hindering the relocation process.
Whether they are heads of interest groups or editors-in-chief who manipulate public opinion, bring them all back.
Once these people arrive in China, whether they are placed under house arrest or sent to No. 2 Spacetime beforehand, as long as communication is cut off, their alliance can be physically dismantled.
Zhang Tianyuan also offered his suggestions for revising the plan: those who are clever enough to see through their intentions in advance should not be treated with leniency and should be arrested directly.
That's why Yuri saw some reluctant people on the plane.
The Jackson family had no idea that they were about to board not a time machine, but a "prison" express...
On the other side...
Adrian, one of the first passengers, has arrived in No. 2 Spacetime with his father.
As friendly individuals or those who played a significant role in the migration plan or post-apocalyptic exploration, they are generally treated relatively well and are not usually assigned to harsh environments.
Scientific talents like Adrian can fully utilize their expertise and may even have the opportunity to travel to other dimensions to participate in research.
After the father and son got off the train, they quickly arrived at their temporary accommodation.
They will stay here for a while, and then return home once Thomas's people have also moved.
The place where they were housed is a fairly large community with its own commercial area and various public spaces.
"This is the Other Spacetime Friendly Persons Resettlement Area."
Adrian glanced at the name of the neighborhood and then followed the crowd, leading his father inside.
Along the way, he noticed that there were quite a few foreigners in the community, which he found a bit strange at first. But after asking around, he learned that this was one of the resettlement sites for No. 3 Spacetime.
The people living in this community are mostly family members of meritorious individuals or vulnerable groups sent from No. 3 Spacetime.
Their placement here was clearly a deliberate decision, ensuring that there wouldn't be too many language problems.
Adrian's elderly father looked around and was quite satisfied.
The father and son followed the group and the guides towards their building.
On the way, Adrian saw many phone booths standing by the roadside, with signs for Mutual Aid Society hanging on them. What was most strange was that there were long lines of people in front of those phone booths.
It's just a phone booth; doesn't mobile communication exist in this timeline?
Adrian couldn't help but ask the guide what it was.
The guide glanced at them and said, "Those phone booths are connected to interdimensional communication; they can make calls to other dimensions."
"Generally, each person has three hours of talk time allowed per month."
Adrian then realized what was going on.
The guide continued, "You're probably already familiar with the most unique aspect of this time and space, aren't you?"
Adrian's elderly father nodded and said, "Is it the KV Virus and the Darkseekers?"
This was common knowledge in No. 1 Spacetime.
The guide nodded in satisfaction, knowing he could save himself a lot of trouble. "Good that you know. Watch out for the dark, watch out for the night, watch out for the sewers, OK?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Many people in the long line at the phone booths were also watching Adrian and his group.
"Grandpa, are they new neighbors?" Liu Qi clung to Han Zi'ang's leg, his innocent eyes fixed on the people across the street dragging away large and small bags.
"How did Grandpa know...?" Han Zi'ang squatted on the ground, cracking sunflower seeds in his hands, looking in the same direction as his grandson, his face full of boredom.