Chapter 134: Dad, Someone's Bullying Me!

As the big data system was synced with WeChat’s movement tracker, people’s daily routines, including where and when they went, became visible. There was even an option to link to family members to track their movements. From now on, everyone had to check in with facial recognition, under the supervision of local visitation officers, while government offices handled any screening processes. Certain groups, such as government employees and seniors over 65, were exempt from the rule.

The news added that the system would soon incorporate a virtual currency exchange and marketplace by the next year, along with other new features for trading goods and services.

The moment the announcement aired, it seemed like everyone was talking about the new features. Government workers, who were increasingly seen as the most privileged group, became the subject of envy.

People like cleaners, cooks, and security guards were considered part of the system, and securing a job with the government was becoming harder. Most people would be grateful for whatever temporary or part-time work they could find, just to avoid starvation.

After dinner, Static Family sat down to explore the newly updated WeChat system.

“Wow, I don’t even remember going there that day,” said Static Dad, surprised at the level of detail in his movement history.

Static sighed with relief when she saw her record: Honorary Consultant at the Development Zone Management Office.

Then there were her accomplishments:

- January 14, 2023: Commendation for bravery.

- May 29, 2023: Assisted in the arrest of Zhang Qiang, leader of the gang Tian (Sky), and other criminals. Awarded second-class honors.

A note followed: *Holders of second-class honors receive priority service for any face recognition tasks.*

“I don’t need to check in!” Static Mom laughed as she showed her phone, and Static Dad joined in, adding, “Me neither!”

Even Static’s third aunt, who had just recently been promoted to team leader, proudly chimed in. And Static, whose accolades now allowed her to skip lines, couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her new privileges.

“I'm exempt too, thank goodness,” said Static’s grandparents, prompting laughter from the whole family.

As the government’s new rules took hold, anyone without a government job sought out ways to secure one. Many realized that obedience meant food and safety, while defiance meant death—an inevitable conclusion hammered home by the steady reports of criminals being killed by authorities.

One such visitor was Wang Zhong, an old acquaintance of Static Dad’s from his days at the construction company.

That afternoon, as Static was working with cement near the front of the villa, a man on an electric bike approached. Dressed in an old army coat, the middle-aged man had a package in each hand. He eyed the villa and then Static.

“I’m looking for Jing An,” he said.

“Nope, wrong place.”

The man frowned, confused. “This is the right address. You know Jing An, right?”

“Nope.”

“I’m Wang Zhong! We go way back. His wife’s Su Lianzhi, and their daughter is named… Jing Zhu! I brought gifts to visit them.”

Jing Zhu, huh? Static thought to herself. He couldn’t even get the name right.

“That’s not me,” she replied curtly.

She wasn’t surprised by the appearance of this supposed friend, who had long been a mythic figure in her father’s tales. Wang Zhong had never shown up in person, not in this life, nor the previous one.

Wang Zhong scowled. “Get out of the way, kid. I’m here to see your father.”

Static kept her place by the door, and she could feel a sense of rising tension. She recalled how Wang Zhong and the other shareholders had pushed her father out of the company, first reducing his role to a minor shareholder and then forcing him to resign.

Now, here was this man, standing before her, with no clue that the tide had turned.

She hesitated. Her father had changed. He was no longer the pushover he once was, but was it enough? Could he truly face down this man from his past? Part of her wanted to test him.

From the back of the villa, her father’s voice echoed, “Static, bring me more cement!”

Static took a deep breath and, in a split-second decision, decided to stir the pot.

“Dad!” she cried, loudly enough for the entire neighborhood to hear. “Someone’s bullying me!”

Author's Note:

A big thanks to KaiKai’s Little Friend for the generous tip! Mwah!