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nChapter 69 Manipulate Public Opinion

n“Really, Mr. Morado? Can my family come with me, too?”

n“Of course! Do this thing for me, and you’ll become a Neigerian in no time! You can’t do it alone, though. I remember you mentioning that you have a society of some sort and that the members are all people who want to come to Neige?”

nBack in Moon, in the city where the sacred temple was, a chubby man in his forties was nodding excitedly at the phone. “That’s right, Mr. Morado. The society was set up fifteen years ago, and we’ve gathered some very loyal members. They’re all looking forward to going to Neige but have never been given a chance.” Morado smirked. “Then listen carefully. I’m giving you an opportunity. If you can do this thing for me, all your members will be granted permanent Neigerian residence. The outstanding ones can even become citizens!”

n“Really?” The chubby man was both astonished and excited. He asked tentatively, “Did you say all of us?”

n“Yes! All of you! I’ll give everyone permanent residence but not citizenship. You need to make some contributions to earn that status.”

n“We got this, Mr. Morado. Whatever the task is, we’ll get things done!”

n“Glad to hear it. Do you know what’s going on with Viclan?” Morado asked.

nThe man nodded. “Yes! I watched the live stream! Viclan is an ungrateful man! I can’t believe it! Neige has treated them so well, but they’ve humiliated the country in front of the whole world! How ridiculous!”

n“I like where you’re going with it. The task I’m giving you is related to Viclan. He hasn’t gone back to your country yet, so here’s what you’re going to do.” The call lasted for nearly forty minutes. The man nodded from time to time and made solemn promises.

n“Yes!

n“Sure! “Of course!

n“No problem!

n“You have my word!”

nIt was three o’clock in the morning in Neige when Viclan and his people boarded the flight.

nIt was three in the afternoon in Moon, three hours after the Nobel Prize ceremony. At first, people rejoiced and were celebrating the return of the scientists. Numerous posts with such themes were posted online.

nNo one knew when it started, but some people began to offer differing opinions. Such posts were created alongside the celebrating ones and gradually became the mainstream.

n“Asking Viclan to come back is the dumbest decision ever!”

n“What’s that supposed to mean? Do you know what you’re talking about?”

n“What’s wrong with what he said? Didn’t you watch the ceremony? Didn’t you see what Viclan was like? Don’t you know what he and his people have said and done? He doesn’t deserve to come back!”

n“I agree! Raising a person is so much more effort than giving birth! One can never do enough to repay a person or a place that has raised them! Yes, Viclan was born here, but Neige is the country that has made him what he is now! Not only wouldn’t he show any gratitude, but he has humiliated Neige in front of the whole world! This is nothing personal, and I’m not targeting Viclan, nor am I saying that Neige is better than Moon. I’m just stating the facts!”

n“Totally! I don’t like Neige either, but it doesn’t change the fact that Viclan isn’t the most upright person! He and all his colleagues! Yes, they can turn Neige down, but they shouldn’t have said it in front of the whole world! It’s like accusing one’s adopted parents!”

n“Nicely said! They shouldn’t have treated Neige like that!”

n“I agree with all of you! You’re absolutely correct! It’s not about the grudges between the two countries. As far as I know, Viclan is 52 years old now. He was born in Woodia, came back to Moon at five, and when to Soilia at 18 years old. He moved to Neige at 20 and has stayed there until now. He has only spent 13 years in Moon. That’s less than half the time he spent in Neige!”

n“Gosh! Viclan was born in Woodia and only came back at five! He’s only lived here for 13 years? Does he even love this country? Do you think he has a hidden agenda?”

n“Agenda or no agenda, he has abandoned the country that has supported him for 30 years. He has only lived in Moon for over ten years, so are we sure that he won’t abandon us one day when he has better offers?”

n“Why do you even ask? Of course, he’s going to leave us one day! All traitors are like that! No, we can’t have Viclan back! I don’t feel safe having him here! One day, he’ll leak all our secrets!”

n“That’s right! We can’t have him here!”

n“I think what you said made some sense.”

n“Shit! You’re giving me the creeps! Is Viclan coming back to steal our secrets?”

n“He has abandoned the country that has supported him for 30 years! We can’t accept an ungrateful bastard! Who’s to say that he won’t betray us one day?!”

n“No, he can’t come back!”

n“Go away, Viclan!”

n“Viclan isn’t welcomed here!” Some people began to manipulate public opinion. Not everyone online had the best judgment, and many people would agree with everything other people said.

nMany people found the “analysis” reasonable and joined the boycott.

nOnly half an hour ago, they were welcoming Viclan back. However, almost everyone was opposing the idea now. “It’s too dangerous for us to have Viclan in this country!”

n“Our country will support them and provide them with many resources. If his return is a plot against us, we’d lose too much!”

n“Totally! I don’t want Viclan back! Never! Sky Eye and the Dragon Tribe must consider these possibilities! We can’t have a traitor here!”

nMorado put the laptop on Oraman’s desk.

nOraman was pleased when he read through the comments.

n“Viclan has abandoned all the nice things and left us. However, his fellow countrymen aren’t moved. Not only that, but they’re also accusing them of those things. I think Viclan will be very disappointed.”

nMorado laughed. “When that happens, Viclan will come back!”

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