How Am I Still Alive?
Chapter 1975: 1969 The Intermediary

Chapter 1975: Chapter 1969 The Intermediary

When hearing that Xue En became a candidate, Lu Ping’an was utterly dumbfounded.

The next moment, he directly shouted out.

“Is that panda crazy? Tell him to come and see me!” His tone was uncharacteristically angry.

Lu really didn’t expect his senior to actively get involved in this matter.

“Is he stupid? Why jump into this quagmire by himself…..”

Xue En is a veteran of the team, with merit and achievements right here, and he doesn’t have to worry about his growth resources.

In Lu’s eyes, this really is a quagmire.

When you enter politics, you are no longer an “individual”, your resume, your past, even the boasts you made as a student will become weapons against you, slandering you….. especially when you plan to do something, who knows how ruthless your opponents will be.

This reform vanguard position is something that Lu Ping’an is desperately guarding, but no one can guarantee it will be maintained….. who knows what kind of blackmail the other side will cook up, during the reform something going wrong is too normal, putting a black pot with dozens or even hundreds of lives over your head, how do you mix in the future?

Those professional politicians, don’t really care…. if they really wanted face, why go into politics.

This is a muddy quagmire that can destroy honor and even life, Lu Ping’an never planned to let his own people do this, he initially intended to find an outsider to act as a puppet….. cough, reform representative.

That person would be the media’s darling, while serving in the Ancient City government, also being Lu Ping’an’s faction representative in officialdom…..this means neither side truly sees him as one of their own, meaning walking the blade’s edge, potentially offending both sides.

“I suspect you might be under a curse, Cursed Fate acting up? This time manifesting as a reduction in intelligence?”

Lu Ping’an called the panda over, and started scolding him immediately, it seemed like he was really somewhat anxious.

“No, I’m quite normal…..”

The Panda-man with sunglasses on, you can’t see his eyes, but Lu knows it’s probably to hide his overly “fierce” gaze.

Standing in front of Lu Ping’an’s desk, unusually serious, he was also very earnest…..

“Pfft, suit panda meow! Disney meow!”

Lu Ping’an paused for a moment, picked up the cat by the neck, and carried it to the door, kicking it out.

“Meow!!”

“Bang!”

The door slammed shut, but turning around he saw that big belly…..

“Pfft….cough cough.”

Lu Ping’an spent a lot of energy not to burst out laughing.

A panda in a suit was one thing, but a big belly that directly bursts through the clothes was hard to hide.

Forget suit bandits, it’s more like a circus or those large stuffed dolls with belly drums….. no wonder the cat couldn’t hold back and started laughing.

Lu Ping’an shook his head, taking off the “I’m very angry” guise…..in the end, he just wanted to use the opportunity to pressure, hoping Xue En would give up this foolish behavior, but apparently, not only did the calm Xue En see through it, even the cat saw through it.

After the initial surprise, Lu Ping’an briefly thought it through logically, and understood everything.

“The Ancient City isn’t just your Ancient City, it’s our home…have a bit more faith in us.”

The Panda-man was very calm, he already knew Lu Ping’an would come to stop him, and even prepared how to convince him.

“I’m the most suitable person, if it’s me, the success rate will be at least 20% higher.”

Lining up all the data, Xue En really is the most suitable “target”.

He and Lu Ping’an are in a brotherly relationship, he’s among the earliest veterans and core members of the team and faction, and in the decade on Mercury 42, he was essentially the “second leader”.

You could say, aside from Fei’er who will never realistically ascend as “Crown Prince (she isn’t likely to truly take charge)”, if Lu Ping’an were really unable to do his work for some reason, the number of people who could stand up and manage would be few, Xue En would definitely rank in the top three.

Thus, if he personally participates, it means the entire Lu Ping’an faction is making a full-force effort in this reform, either succeed or perish…..

“Ping’an, you also need to consider the official viewpoint, if we really support a puppet as the representative, they will question our sincerity…. someone of sufficient weight is needed as a bridge between both sides.”

The Panda-man’s words made some sense.

Randomly picking someone, some official policymakers would have to consider whether to let Lu Ping’an’s faction mess around with impunity, and the consequences of things spiraling out of control….. if it really screws up, Lu Ping’an’s side could easily cut their losses, the officials would definitely take the fall.

But that’s not the main reason.

Xue En’s greatest advantage, even his unique advantage, is…..

“I’m an Eastern Country Ancient City person and also an ‘alien race’, I’m a Beastman yet also an Eastern Country person whom they can’t refuse…..”

Who can reject a panda running for election? Even if you can, won’t you watch his promo videos and ads? This eyesore appeal is an unbeatable advantage.

Lu Ping’an paused, aside from this “invincible panda” anomaly, to professionals, this “Double World Person” identity trait is what’s most important.

As someone who has accompanied Lu along the way, Xue En has experienced nearly everything.

Lu is a retired Lieutenant General from the Special Service Team, with an official background… Xue En also holds ranks and shares a Special Service Team background, with equally impressive achievements.

This innocence is very important politically, he can similarly boast great military exploits and is like “the good kid next door”…. a background in special service police, though seeming low, is actually very useful for gaining public support.

And his obvious foreign looks can rally large numbers of local alien races, especially various newly arrived Beastmen.

On top of that, he’s a Panda-man….. will Easterners see panda-men as aliens?

“Xue En’s transformation wasn’t voluntary….”

This actually adds points, for actively “transformed race” natives, there’s significant estrangement, but Xue En is probably the only unlucky guy who passively turned into a Beastman, this resume allows him to calmly face some racial accusations.

Being both an Easterner and a foreigner, this is very important in not inciting both sides’ resentment.

This identity and resume, only Xue En truly possesses.

“If I participate, it might also help some inheritance faction professionals…..”

Professionals have a long history in humanity’s timeline, before the modern explosion of wild professionals, they were mostly “monks,” “Taoists,” or “families” continuing the traditions.

In the talent abilities category, there’s also the inheritance lineage….. Xue En is one, from a notoriously infamous family.

These inheritors and wild professionals have some latent differences….. inheritors do quite well, their skills classical yet stable, often finding decent positions, with various inheritance secrets, not lacking high potential.

The post-new era, wild professionals rapidly grow externally, leaving these classical factions both envious and resentful, most still refuse to stoop to their level….. on Earth they mix well enough, why struggle like crazy.

And if Lu Ping’an truly implements reform, those in the “Department of Religion,” “Proper God Church” high ranks who are from the inheritance faction, may become reform obstacles….. they’re quite against “Extraordinaries” overly “serving” Mortals.

Xue En carries this additional layer, if he were mediocre, this identity would have no value, but now he’s an “eighth-tier Big Shot,” those “poor relatives” often visit, and he doesn’t circulate in traditional circles, but his reputation and legends exist.

If he stands up as a benchmark, this resistance vanishes too.

“Besides, I want to spend more time with my wife and daughters, retreating to the second line is quite good…..”

Alright, with all this said, Lu Ping’an shook his head, unable to refuse.