I revived the Demonic Sect in North America

[Shelf Trait: Unseen by society, possessing a foolish kindness. Easily guided and manipulated by grand narratives of suffering. The host can win this woman over through moral blackmail.]

[Conquest Difficulty: Relatively Easy]

[System notification: Please subdue this furnace as soon as possible.]

[Reward for a low-grade furnace: 1 tael of gold]

Hearing the system notification in his mind, Li Ang's eyes lit up.

Greenhouse vase?

Do you like grand narratives?

Are they easily morally manipulated?

This is fantastic!

Li Ang's eyes darted around, and a more perfect plan immediately came to mind.

"This is so meaningful, Emily! You know, I'm just like you, and I've always been dedicated to helping those homeless and vulnerable people!"

Li Ang gripped Emily's hand even tighter, his face beaming with sincere approval, his gaze sweeping intensely over Emily and the group of students behind her, all dressed in sky-blue T-shirts.

Emily was both surprised and delighted:

"Are you telling the truth, Li Ang?"

"certainly!"

Li Ang agreed without hesitation, pointing to his own face as he spoke:

"Look at my face, what comes to mind?"

Emily was taken aback by Li Ang's sudden question.

Without thinking much, she carefully examined Li Ang's face as instructed.

Li Ang's skin tone is typical of rhubarb.

Because he spent many years on the streets, his skin wasn't smooth, but his features were very handsome.

Especially his eyes, which were very lively and expressive.

Even by American standards of beauty, he's quite a handsome guy.

As Emily watched, she couldn't help but blush slightly.

She thought for a moment, then whispered somewhat shyly:

"I...I think you're...very handsome?"

"Thank you, Emily, you are beautiful too."

Li Ang couldn't help but chuckle and gave a grateful smile.

But soon, his expression turned solemn and deep, and he said seriously:

"But what I want to discuss with you isn't my appearance."

Emily blushed and asked with even greater curiosity:

"Otherwise, what is it?"

Li Ang said solemnly:

"It's the yellow skin I have from the University of Tokyo! Although I'm an American, I'm a true-blue University of Tokyo descendant!"

He paused, then lowered his voice, saying with a mixture of pride and sorrow:

"My parents were staunch idealists from the University of Tokyo! Do you understand what that means, Emily?"

Emily's eyes widened instantly, and she murmured, repeating:

"Idealism?"

This word has always been a distant concept in the elite educational circles of Manhattan's private high schools where Emily lives.

It's as if this word was born with a certain evil and dangerous connotation.

However, to Li Ang, a seemingly clean-cut and handsome peer, it sounded inexplicably lofty and sacred.

"Yes, idealism."

Li Ang raised his chin, looked up at the sky, and gradually emanated a unique radiance of an idealist:

"This word expresses a belief that all people are born equal, that labor creates value, and that a society without capital or exploitation, where everyone can enjoy basic security and dignity, is possible."

"This is what they call idealism!"

"All men are created equal... Labor creates value... A society where everyone can live with dignity..."

Emily repeated Li Ang's words in a low voice, a glint of near-enlightenment in her eyes:

"Isn't this exactly what we're trying to do right now? Our organization's homeless shelter program aims to help those who have lost their dignity and cannot obtain security through labor, doesn't it?"

Upon thinking of this, Emily immediately felt a sense of resonance and kinship:

"Oh, Leon, your parents are so cool! They weren't just believers, they were true pioneers, idealists! Please convey my heartfelt respect to them!"

"Thank you for saying that, Emily."

Li Ang smiled with satisfaction and said, moved:

"If my parents could hear with their own ears that a beautiful and kind girl like you approves of their ideals, they would be very gratified."

"There will be an opportunity!"

Emily was both shy and delighted, and said enthusiastically:

"It's hard to imagine that your parents and I, who grew up in different environments and have different perspectives, can embrace the same ideals and pursue the same career. Wow, that's truly amazing, Li Ang. If you'd like to introduce me, I'd love to talk to your parents too!"

Li Ang shook his head and said:

"No, Emily, I don't want them to see you."

Why?

Emily opened her eyes wide in confusion, feeling inexplicably wronged.

"Li Ang, don't you want your parents to know me? Did I say something wrong, or do you have some concerns about me?"

No, it's not what you think.

Li Ang took a deep breath, avoiding Emily's direct and probing gaze, and said in a low voice:

"I can't let them see you because they're no longer here."

Emily didn't react for a moment:

"Gone?"

Li Ang turned his head and said sadly:

"They're gone, Emily. I mean, I've lost my beloved parents, two great idealists. I'm an orphan."

Emily gasped, as if something had struck her chest hard.

She quickly covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise:

"Oh my God! Oh, Leon, how could your parents...?"

Li Ang shook his head and continued to reminisce:

"They were unfortunate, weren't they? They were once wealthy middle-class people at Tokyo University, until they heard that on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, in the country known as the greatest, richest, and freest in the world—America—countless people were displaced, sleeping on the streets, struggling in the cold and hunger..."

Emily looked ashamed upon hearing this.

Li Ang then said:

"My parents felt that if even the most powerful country in the world, the United States, could not solve the suffering of its own people, then the so-called greatness and freedom would be incomplete."

So they gave up everything they had at Tokyo University, overcame unimaginable difficulties, and crossed the ocean to America. They wanted to see the suffering here with their own eyes, and wanted to use their meager strength to help, to illuminate, and to warm even just one person.

After arriving in the United States, they worked during the day and helped out at homeless shelters at night, distributed food on the streets, and recorded stories that no one listened to...

Everything was so beautiful until a sudden fire took them all away. Perhaps it was because the wiring in their cheap apartment was old, or perhaps they were too tired and forgot to turn off the heater…who knows.”

Li Ang finally stopped speaking at this point.

He brought out the acting skills he had honed on the streets for over a decade, conjuring up a very painful expression on his face.

This suppressed, immense grief is more impactful than any tears.

This performance truly moved Emily.

Emily was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Her large blue eyes were filled with a complex mix of emotions, including shock, sympathy, respect, sadness, and guilt.

"Oh, Li Ang, I don't know how to describe my feelings. Your parents are truly admirable!"

"They are true warriors of idealism!"