The Decaying Dream of America: I Assemble Corpses and Confront Madness

One Friday afternoon, after finishing his day of classes, Professor Finch told Lin Zheng that he planned to go to a sea fishing platform in the suburbs over the weekend to have a quarterly sea fishing friendly competition with some old friends.

Senior Brother Ryan Burt will also be traveling with us.

Lin Zheng's heart stirred.

He casually noted down the name of the sea fishing platform the professor mentioned and the approximate travel time.

Outside the university town, in the port area of ​​Emerald Dream City, even during the day, there is a fishy smell and the dampness of the sea.

To reach the fishing platform on the outskirts of the city, one must traverse several old industrial roads, passing rusted iron warehouses and abandoned dock cranes.

It is a place where urban elites seek a moment of leisure, and a place to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy private social interactions.

The "quarterly friendly matches" mentioned by Professor Finch are common social activities in elite circles. They are nominally for entertainment, but in reality, they are an invisible competition to maintain connections and consolidate social status.

Whoever catches the most fish gains some insignificant bragging rights, but behind it lies a symbol of status and influence.

After get off work, Lin Zheng did not return to his rented apartment, but went directly to a community center in the city center known for providing short-term skills training.

The neon signs of the clubs flickered on the street corner at dusk, looking somewhat out of place among the signs of various fast food restaurants and convenience stores.

He signed up for a "crash course in diving".

The course was expensive, but he didn't hesitate.

The instructor was a rugged retired navy officer, his body reeking of sea salt and sunshine, and bearing several deep scars that revealed his bone.

He spoke in a loud voice, with sharp eyes, and patiently taught Lin Zheng how to properly use the respirator and flippers.

Retired naval personnel often engage in this type of high-risk training work in society. Their experience is hard-earned and far more practical than theoretical knowledge from books.

In less than two days, he instilled the most basic diving skills and safety regulations into Lin Zheng.

Lin Zheng didn't have time to learn those fancy moves; he only needed to be able to stay briefly in the icy seawater.

He learned how to maintain buoyancy underwater, how to slowly adjust his posture, and how to determine direction and identify obstacles in limited visibility.

These skills, though basic, were enough to enable him to complete the planned "performance".

On Saturday morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Lin Zheng had already quietly arrived at the sea fishing platform on the outskirts of the city.

The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent, making one's cheeks feel tight.

The dock was deserted and desolate in the early morning, with only a few dim lights swaying in the wind.

Lin Zheng parked the car a little distance away from the platform to ensure it wouldn't attract attention.

He took out his pre-prepared diving gear from the car: a heavy wetsuit, a regulator, fins, and a waterproof backpack containing several lively local sea fish that he had bought at a high price at the fish market the night before.

The price of fish at the market fluctuates wildly depending on the freshness and rarity of the seafood. Lin Zheng spent almost half a month's worth of assembly wages to buy these fish of sufficient "weight".

He even specifically selected several types of fish that Professor Finch might be most interested in, information he gleaned from the professor's casual conversations.

After the professor and his friend arrived, he greeted them and then secretly put on his diving suit under the pretext of going to the restroom.

With everything ready, he entered the water from a secluded corner.

The icy seawater instantly enveloped him; the early autumn seawater was bone-chilling, but Lin Zheng's body was tense with nervousness.

Beneath the surface of the sea, the light is dim, with only a few rays of sunlight occasionally piercing through the water, casting dappled shadows on the seabed.

Lin Zheng carefully avoided the fishing nets and ropes underwater, while keeping a close eye on the movement on the water's surface.

These fishing nets and ropes, left behind by boats and fishermen, can easily entangle a person in the dim underwater light.

He knew that once the professor found out, all his efforts would be in vain.

As he approached the bottom of the platform, he heard indistinct human voices on the water.

That was Professor Finch's voice, with a relaxed laugh, and the cheerful conversation of several men.

Lin Zheng adjusted his breathing and slowly floated down to a few meters below the surface, spying on the situation on the surface through his breathing tube.

Professor Finch was sitting in a folding chair at the edge of the platform, holding a custom-made fishing rod in his hand, his eyes intently fixed on the water.

Two men of similar age to the professor were sitting next to him; they were clearly his fishing buddies, and they had also started baiting their fishing spots.

Baiting refers to placing bait in the target waters to attract fish to gather, which is a key step in increasing the catch in sea fishing.

It's a combination of patience and strategy, and also a way to show off your fishing gear and skills.

Ryan Burt stood not far behind the professor, occasionally whispering to him and taking care of his fishing gear.

He helped with baiting and untangling lines, and occasionally handed the professor's fishing friends a bottle of water or changed their bait. He was well-mannered and seemed to be Professor Finch's capable assistant.

Lin Zheng took a deep breath and began his "performance".

He first observed the location of the professor's fishing line, and then quietly dived to the bottom of the water.

The professor's fishing line stretched vertically in the water, with a sinker and hook at the end, swaying slightly in the ocean current.

He opened his waterproof backpack and took out a live fish.

In the dim underwater light, the fish struggled in Lin Zheng's hand, its scales reflecting a faint light.

He held the live fish tightly in his hand, feeling its vitality and survival instinct.

Lin Zheng carefully hooked the fish's body onto Professor Finch's fishing hook.

The fishhook was sharp, and a slight misstep could cut his hand, but at that moment Lin Zheng only had the word "success" in his mind.

He completed the operation quickly and precisely, then released his hand, and the live fish, secured by the hook, struggled violently underwater.

"Buzz!"

On the water's surface, the reel suddenly emitted a sharp buzzing sound, and the fishing line was instantly pulled taut.

Professor Finch suddenly stood up, an excited expression on his face.

He gripped the high-end custom-made fishing rod tightly with both hands, his arm muscles tense, and began to fight the "big fish underwater".

He repeated the same operation, secretly putting a live fish on Professor Finch's hook every now and then.

Each time, the reel would emit that exciting "buzzing" sound, and each time, Professor Finch's face would light up with an even brighter smile.

Professor Finch enjoyed the thrill of each big fish taking the bait, the pleasure of fighting against unseen opponents, and the envious glances of others.

Although the two anglers next to him had congratulatory smiles on their faces, their eyes revealed a hint of undisguised astonishment and envy.

They also knew that on such a vast sea, luck was one thing, but sustained good luck seemed somewhat illogical.

While chatting with one of his fellow anglers, Ryan Burt secretly exchanged a signal with Lin Zheng that only they could understand, indicating that it was almost time.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, Professor Finch's thermos was filled with all sorts of rare local fish, far exceeding the catch of his two friends.

Inside the insulated container, the scales of the sea fish shimmered, retaining their alluring color even within the ice—a vitality only found in fresh catches.

The professor's face was filled with satisfaction and joy; it was genuine happiness.

He patted Lin Zheng on the shoulder, pointed to the full load of insulated buckets, and laughed excitedly.

"Haha, Lin, the fishing spot you found for me is fantastic! You're my lucky star! Today was the most enjoyable fishing I've had in months. I finally got my revenge in front of my old friend!" The professor's voice was loud and cheerful, sounding especially cheerful in the sea breeze.

Professor Finch's usually meticulous demeanor was broken by pure joy, revealing a rare ease and pride.

The professor looked at Lin Zheng with an unspoken appreciation in his eyes, then glanced at his two friends beside him, his proud expression mixed with an almost imperceptible cunning.

That is the recognition of allies and the silent boasting to opponents by those in power after winning in the game.

Lin Zheng responded with a smile, but his heart was completely unmoved. He knew that this "happiness" was something he had earned by soaking in the icy seawater for nearly two hours.

This reward goes far beyond mere surface laughter and joy.

That was the reward he earned by using his physical strength, time, and ingenious calculations about the professor's preferences.

On the way back, Professor Finch's face was unusually relaxed, and his usual scholarly rigor was nowhere to be seen.

The mentor's two fishing buddies also praised and envied Professor Finch's "good luck" while chatting and laughing. Professor Finch praised Lin Zheng in his words and introduced his two fishing buddies to Lin Zheng.

Such referrals are a common way to build connections among the elite.

Professor Finch's seemingly casual introduction subtly elevated Lin Zheng's standing in the eyes of these people, opening doors for him in the social world.

These anglers are no ordinary people; one is a well-known lawyer, and the other is a bank executive—both prominent figures in Emerald Dream City.

In societies like the United States, networking is often not based on pure friendship, but rather on the exchange of benefits and the possibility of future mutual assistance.

A simple introduction was Professor Finch's initial recognition of Lin Zheng's "value".

This suggests that Lin Zheng has the opportunity to enter a higher level of social circles.

He would glance at Lin Zheng sitting in the back seat through the rearview mirror every now and then, his smile growing even wider.

"Lin Zheng, your focus and intelligence in doing things have truly impressed me."

Ryan Burt told me long ago that you were a promising talent, and today it seems he was absolutely right.

"You and your fellow students are all my most outstanding students, and you all have a bright future!" The professor's voice echoed in the carriage, carrying a hint of approval, as if he were talking to himself, or as if he was deliberately saying it to Lin Zheng.

His comparison of Lin Zheng to Ryan Burt is a high compliment and also an indication of Lin Zheng's future development.

Lin Zheng smiled in response to the professor's praise. He knew that he had successfully gained the professor's trust and had also deepened his connection with his senior brother, Ryan Burt. This meticulous "social engineering experiment" had reached the point where it could yield results.

Furthermore, I even got to show my face through my mentor's introduction. These are my mentor's connections, and they will be his connections in the future.

Networking is based on introductions and interactions between people, connecting their interests, enabling them to benefit from each other, help each other, and stay connected.

It is an invisible network that intricately connects the highest levels of society, with each thread linking countless opportunities and resources.

Lin Zheng joked and laughed with them politely, making the atmosphere not limited to their fishing competition today. Today was his expression of his admiration for his mentor, and at the same time, he wanted to use this to look to the future, to let his attitude be seen, so that they would remember him in the future.

During casual conversation, he subtly revealed his professional background and meticulous work attitude, which impressed his two fellow anglers.

He humbly replied, "Professor, you flatter me. I still have much to learn from Senior Brother Zhou."

Professor Finch laughed even more heartily upon hearing Lin Zheng's words. He believed that Lin Zheng was sensible and knew how to establish himself in this society.

Just as Professor Finch had predicted, after a public lecture, while Lin Zheng was organizing the class materials, the professor called him into his office.

The professor gently placed his expensive fountain pen on the table, reflecting a cool light.

"Lin Zheng, I am very satisfied with your recent performance." Professor Finch's eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses were scrutinizing, yet also revealed a hint of appreciation.

"I heard about you from Ryan Burt, and he thinks highly of you."

"I can't let a talented student like you be buried by temporary difficulties." The professor's tone became earnest, carrying the care of a superior for a "promising talent."

"A letter of recommendation is the gift I can give you."

In American society, especially in academia and government agencies, letters of recommendation are key to opening doors for advancement.

It is not merely a tutor's evaluation of a student's academic performance, but also an endorsement of responsibility and credibility, and a secret certificate for the exchange of interests within the elite class.

A letter of recommendation from a top scholar like Professor Finch, who is also an elite member of the "American Dream" company, carries far more weight than usual.

It means that the recommender is willing to use their reputation to vouch for the recommended person, and at the same time expects the recommended person to repay this "favor" at some point in the future.

This is an invisible contract, a higher level of social exchange.

Lin Zheng knew that this was not just the professor's good intention, but another investment in his "value".

He helped the professor gain face in the sea fishing competition, and this "investment" began to quietly pay off.

"I just spoke with Ryan on the phone a few days ago. His police department's forensic unit is short of a part-time assistant. The salary is high and the job is stable," Professor Finch said casually.

He didn't mention the specific form of the recommendation letter in his words, but Lin Zheng understood that the professor's phone call itself was the highest level of "recommendation".

That wasn't just an official document, but a tacit understanding, meaning that Lane Bert already knew of Lin Zheng's arrival and was prepared to accept him.

High salary, job security, police station forensic office... these words swirled in Lin Zheng's mind, weaving together a complex and alluring picture.

That evening, Lin Zheng officially dialed Ryan Burt's number, which was quite different from their previous private contacts.

On the other end of the phone, Ryan Burt's voice sounded professional but polite, devoid of any personal feelings, purely businesslike.

"Professor Finch has already mentioned you to me, Lin Zheng. Welcome to our team," Ryan Burt said.

Ryan Burt briefly described his job as an assistant in the medical examiner's office of the Emerald Dream City Police Department, responsible for "sample processing".

"The job isn't complicated; it mainly involves processing some... biological samples," Ryan Burt's description was somewhat vague.

Ryan Burt emphasized that the job pays extremely well per hour and with a mentor's recommendation, it's practically a sure thing.

The salary figure he mentioned was several times that Lin Zheng earned when he worked in the "Gundam" assembly area, enough for him to temporarily get out of his financial predicament and even save some money.

This unusually high salary made Lin Zheng feel a little uncomfortable. Even in a developed country like the United States, it would be difficult for a part-time assistant to receive such generous treatment.

A few minutes later, Lin Zheng received a formal interview notification email from Ryan Burt, which clearly stated the interview location: Emerald Dream City Police Department, Medical Examiner's Office.

On his phone screen, the salary figure in the job posting, with its string of zeros, seemed to possess a magical power, temporarily suppressing all his doubts.

"Forensic doctor..." Lin Zheng murmured to himself.

For some reason, the word made him think of all things dark, bloody, secretive, and hidden from the light of day.

But he quickly shook his head, dismissing the unease—

For that salary, he would brave even hell.

As a poor man, he was afraid of nothing.