HLM -Chapter 776 The First Protest

Because of National Geographic Magazine’s visit, Wang Bo had been in an exceptionally good mood at work.

But gradually, that good mood began to fade — he noticed a group of people gathering in front of the government building. At first, he didn’t pay attention, but soon the crowd grew, and they even blocked the road.

Worse still, they were holding up signs and banners — clearly, a protest.

New Zealanders loved protests. When housing prices went up, they protested because homes became too expensive. When prices went down, they also protested because homeowners felt their wealth was being stolen.

Wang Bo had often seen large protests in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch on the news, but he never expected something like that to happen in Sunset Town.

Government employees were already alarmed; they stood at the entrance, watching.

Wang Bo walked out irritably and asked, “What’s going on?”

“They’re protesting,” said Kidd, pulling out a pair of sunglasses, wiping them clean, and putting them on.

Wang Bo’s chest hurt from anger. Damn it, do you think I can’t see that it’s a protest? “I’m asking what you’re doing!”

“We’re watching the protest,” said Atulu.

Wang Bo: “…”

Someone was holding a banner blocking the entrance to the government building. It read: Faith has collapsed, and dreams are shattered.

“What the hell does that even mean?” Wang Bo cursed. “Everyone move! Go find out what’s going on! Damn it, this is ridiculous!”

Hani grinned. “Boss, you might want to think this through first — have you ever embezzled public funds? Harassed young women in town? Abused your power? Maybe they’re protesting you.”

Wang Bo actually paused to think about it. Protests aimed at government officials were dangerous — it could affect his approval rating in the next election.

But he hadn’t done any of that! Since becoming mayor, he’d been diligent and conscientious. If New Zealand ever held a vote for Most Dedicated Mayor, he’d definitely vote for himself.

The crowd kept growing, and he even spotted some tourists from China among them. His head throbbed. He’d better go down and ask what was going on.

When he reached the gate, someone waved a sign at him that read: What can save you and me, New Zealand…

A domestic tourist asked, “Why are all these foreigners wearing sunglasses? Is that a protest requirement in New Zealand?”

Someone replied, “Maybe they just think it looks cool.”

“Not cool — maybe it’s for uniformity, easier to recognize each other.”

Chen Luoxian explained, “No, haven’t you noticed? White people usually wear sunglasses outdoors because their irises have less pigment than Asians’. Their eyes let in more light, so they’re more sensitive to strong sunlight. Sunglasses protect them.”

Even in the middle of this chaos, Wang Bo gave her a thumbs-up. That answer was absolutely correct.

Anderson, with his daughter on his shoulders, was among the protesters too. Wang Bo waved and called out, “What’s this about?”

The supermarket CEO shrugged. “Nothing to do with you, boss. We’re protesting the national public transportation fare increase — those parasites!”

“What?” Wang Bo’s head began to ache again. Public transportation fare hikes — and you’re protesting here in our town? His brilliant 211–985 university-trained mind just couldn’t connect the two things.

He knew about the recent fare increase — New Zealand’s Transport Authority had decided, after research and analysis, to raise prices for public transportation nationwide.

The fare hike would start on the third Monday of September and affect all of Auckland’s public transport — trains, buses, and ferries.

More specifically, ticket prices for cash payments would increase by about 20%.

The Transport Authority had explained that this was to offset financial losses caused by wasted transportation resources.

But what did that have to do with their small town? The town didn’t even have its own bus service!

Wang Bo beckoned to Atulu. The man thought he was being asked to disperse the crowd, so he put on his sunglasses, rolled up his sleeves, and swaggered forward, shouting as he shoved people aside: “What are you all doing here? Don’t you have homes? Go home, everyone, go home!”

Wang Bo grabbed him angrily. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Didn’t you tell me to disperse them?” the big Māori man said, looking aggrieved.

Wang Bo swore. “F*ck! Is your brain full of honey?! I told you to get me the megaphone!”

Atulu’s move had been a death wish — the townsfolk knew him too well. Instantly, people surrounded him in outrage:

“What do you think you’re doing? God is watching you from above! You trying to use violence?” 

“Record him! Post it online and make this guy famous!”

“Go back, Māori! F*ck, you parasites are worse than the politicians!”

The crowd’s emotions flared.

Seeing that, Atulu fled for his life — taking yet another step down his road to cowardice.

The moment Atulu made his move, Wang Bo knew this was going to get messy. In New Zealand, social tensions — especially racial ones — were both mild and severe.

They were mild because the government treated the indigenous Māori with extraordinary care and privileges. For example, Māori and English were both official languages.

In education, Māori received special consideration. If a Māori wanted to pursue a master’s degree, the government not only offered free tuition but also high stipends. Of course, most Māori didn’t bother — studying was too much work…

There was no doubt that in New Zealand’s early history, European colonizers had deceived and coerced the Māori into giving up their land and property.

However, compared to what the white settlers did in the Americas — where Native Americans were slaughtered, their cultures destroyed — New Zealand’s colonizers were far more civilized. At least they signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which protected Māori rights and culture.

But the tension was also severe, because white and other non-Māori immigrants resented the special privileges Māori still enjoyed.

Take this fare hike, for instance — Māori citizens were exempt; they could still buy tickets at the old prices.

So how could whites, blacks, and Asians possibly accept that willingly?

Atulu had angered the protesters, but Wang Bo was secretly pleased — because he’d just spotted a counterattack opportunity.

That was — the racial red line.

In Western society, there were certain unspoken rules, certain lines that must never be crossed. Crossing them meant you were uncivilized, barbaric, and ignorant.

And racial discrimination — was the most unforgivable of all.