Due to the elder's request, Ji Jue also instructed Isis to keep an eye on Yu Shu for a while.

Mainly because of this ghostly place New Spring, if you say no one's doors are locked overnight and nothing is picked up on the road, it's somewhat of a tall tale. The average quality of the settlement dwellers and junk scavengers is usually in a state of sustainable decline, completely different from in the city, and it's easy to get taught a harsh lesson.

Considering the elder's face, it's best not to let him fall too hard.

In fact, nothing of the sort happened.

According to Ji Jue's previous words, in the absence of fixed positions, he could freely choose any business or position with the Coast and Messenger, get accustomed for a period first.

As a result, he really started to adapt.

From quality inspection and supervision on the production line, to the transfer and distribution in the logistics warehouse, and even a brief stint in the underground workshop.

There wasn't the anticipated fear and aversion, from start to finish, he maintained a normal demeanor, and then worked in various roles including the Town Appearance Management Team, and even spent some time in the security team.

His main thing was working.

He worked wherever he was, not caring about others' gaze. As an outsider, he wasn't artificially humble, nor arrogant because of his own conditions.

He never interrupted things he didn't understand, but paid great attention to details in problematic areas.

While in the Town Appearance Management Team, he spent half a month organizing and completing New Spring's permanent population statistics and survey, rectified the management of night and morning markets, then standardized the emergency firefighting process, reported the canteen's procurement issues, and finally sorted out a wave of recent laxity in the security team.

He also undisguisedly favored the Chongguang Sect by clearing out a space for a representative office in one of the town's vacant buildings and submitted plans to reorganize and expand the coast's medical clinic for joint operation.

If this plan was implemented smoothly, the coast's medical clinic could somewhat be considered a township hospital.

Rarely, after doing so many things that attract hate and disdain, not many people disliked him. Even those who opposed and rejected admitted that although troublesome, his character wasn't bad.

He could work, plan, organize manpower, had enough affinity, and no lack of leadership.

Everyone who had worked with him said he was effective.

From Old Gou to the temporary worker, when talking about him, they all gave a thumbs up and praised him as a practical talent.

Then, they just pushed him right over to Ji Jue's office.

It wasn't because of exclusion or suppression, but simply because over here, the factory manager was shirking duties and the tasks were annoyingly numerous!

Currently, the operations at the coast have stabilized, Messenger Logistics is expanding, and the development of New Spring is becoming more prosperous, adding up to more problems!

The issues that couldn't be solved below and ended up at Ji Jue's side involved various aspects which couldn't be resolved by any single party.

Although Secretary Isis was smart and capable, with stringent auditing, unfortunately, she never showed up, leading to discrepancies in details and implementation, and even delays due to resistance from the execution level.

Now with Yu Shu added, the previously implemented measures and plans that had become superficial documents suddenly saw their execution problems resolved.

He didn't lack sympathy and understanding for the lower-level employees and executors, nor a rigorous and persistent approach to work. Having personally experienced the operation of all three parties, he was aware of the underlying problems and complications.

Although the work still wasn't easy, once the tangled mess began to unravel, he found it increasingly manageable.

Then, barely a few days had passed before a rumor spread along the coast: The secretary and assistant together had sidelined the factory manager, then took control of New Spring...

To this, Ji Jue felt it necessary to stand up and clarify: This wasn't a rumor, it was true!

In the office, a teacup was placed on the desk.

"Mr. Ji, your tea."

"Alright, thank you."

Ji Jue yawned, having just come out from being busy in the workshop he hadn't had a chance to rest before being dragged by his assistant to work, which naturally led to some minor grievances and resistance.

On the desk, all the reports and documents were prepared and categorized.

"This pile Miss Isis has looked over, you just need to sign and seal it, this pile consists of applications received by HR, I've picked out the particularly important ones, you'll need to review them carefully later. And this part...here... Well, alright."

Yu Shu moved quickly and spoke continuously, "Mr. Gou has mentioned many times, hoping you could attend a mobilization meeting. We can't have employees who have been recruited for so long not even knowing what the boss looks like."

"Alright, next time for sure." Ji Jue nodded.

"You said the same last time."

"Then next time."

"...Fine."

Yu Shu sighed, continuing habitually, "Also, the temporary worker said we should increase our investment in campus recruitment this year. Although the employees we've trained can meet production demands, quite a few of the more demanding positions and roles are still hard to fill.

Hmm, the original words were, you tell Ji Jue that [], going on like this, []'s blood pressure might just burst."

Very considerately, he left parts for Ji Jue to fill in the blanks himself, which strangely made the criticism feel even sharper...

Ji Jue waved his hand, "Then increase the investment, leave it to you."

"Ah?"

Yu Shu was taken aback, instinctively shaking his head, "It's a matter concerning finance and personnel..."

"No worries, our makeshift company works like this."

Ji Jue picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Hmm, the temperature was just right.

Today he didn't come, and the office seemed different, not as cold and makeshift as before. It was tidied up neatly, even his desk had a pot of green plants, and the chair had a few extra cushions.

The details are much more comfortable.

Oh my, here comes a man-mama...

Reviewing the report and plan submitted by Yu Shu—water drainage, epidemic investment, electricity theft correction, talent cultivation and scholarships for Tianmen's specialized talents, summer heat allowance...

Ji Jue sighed sincerely: "Why would someone like you be Vortex?"

"Huh?"

Yu Shu, busy sorting and archiving files, turned back in confusion.

Persistence, resonance, sensing, restraint, and passion...

"Shouldn't it be Ascension?" Ji Jue pinched his chin, puzzled: "It's not like you couldn't find a suitable catalyst for Upper-level Summoning, right?

The Chongguang Church shouldn't be lacking."

"Uh, about that..."

Yu Shu paused, smiled awkwardly: "Actually, I was planning for that before, but my father said I tend to aim high and overlook reality.

It's too easy to idealize, leading to extremes; the faster you move, the easier to make mistakes; the better you plan, the harder you fall.

So he helped me switch to Vortex.

He said sometimes being mediocre is harmless and long-lasting."

Indeed.

Compared to Ascension, Vortex is actually a good choice, especially with a solid foundation and talent, lacking neither knowledge nor cognition, and one can still invest passion.

Also, it's safer and more stable.

Compared to a temporary surge forward, compared to the disillusionment and shaking of ideals, that's what's truly frightening. According to the statistics from Ether Nice, the mutation rate for Ascension is among the highest for the Chosen Ones, second only to Heart Core and large groups.

The large groups are nearly hand in hand with Slaughter, while Heart Core... well, once you're Heart Core, not eating beef seems quite normal?

Our Ashes are better.

Steadily doing research, engaging with peers, and gathering materials is enough.

Ji Jue held the teacup, sipping and sighing, "The elder thinks deeply."

"Indeed."

Yu Shu subconsciously touched his collar, only to realize it was empty, then laughed at himself: "He always does a lot but still feels it's not enough, too harsh on himself, yet too indulgent with others..."

"To fall from grace as easily as a collapse, to do good as hard as climbing, isn't that what's worthy of respect?"

Ji Jue put down his teacup, cleared the accumulated work, then prepared to rest a bit, but was stopped by Yu Shu, who appeared serious.

"There's one more serious matter, although unrelated to New Spring, it could cause significant trouble. I spoke with Director Gou, and he hopes to discuss it with you."

"What is it?" Ji Jue grew tense: "Is there another financial shortfall?"

"No, currently the financial situation is overly healthy, though many influxes are difficult to account for..." Yu Shu's expression was complex: "It's not just New Spring, and not just Hai Province, it's the smugglers."

"Huh?"

Ji Jue was stunned.

Smuggling, it sounds distant and horrific, but for coastal areas like Hai Province, it's commonplace.

Living off the mountains and waters, running big ships to transport goods and people is quite normal. Actually, in the current Desert Market, helping wealthy outsiders settle into the Federation is a profitable industry, not confined to just Hai Province but present in all Federation coastal regions.

"Is this... serious?"

"Extremely serious."

Yu Shu's expression was solemn.

In this era, as Thousand Islands grows increasingly chaotic, numerous wealthy individuals start selling off their assets and planning to migrate to the Federation, but the truth is, if they truly have wealth and power, there's no need for smuggling; they could purchase passports and registration directly.

The key is, it's not just the wealthy seeking survival.

Long before the wealthy sensed the worsening situation, many struggling day-to-day began seeking their own path to survival, gritting and risking everything to set sail for the Federation wasn't uncommon.

Led by snakehead brokers, organized smuggling has always been frequent; otherwise where would all those undocumented and illegal immigrants in Northern Mountain District come from?

And recently, such situations have become increasingly numerous...

However, New Spring is also a beneficiary.

After all, positions within the city are tightly packed, big factories and companies comply strictly with regulations, overseas certificates and diplomas hold little value. Yet New Spring welcomes all, and has been absorbing skilled technicians and relevant talent lately.

Even if lacking possessions and skills, as long as they are willing to work, accept assembly line jobs, construction tasks, drive small three-wheelers for delivery, New Spring is willing to take them in.

No matter what, just abide by the rules.

But the crucial thing is, outsiders don't just bring population and labor, but also much of Thousand Islands' shadowy elements.

Illicit drugs, promiscuity, and even, diseases.

Other diseases aside, the key is...

"I made calls to the medical teams over at Seven Cities a couple of days ago and confirmed."

Yu Shu solemnly stated: "The ethereal plague is still spreading."

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