Chapter 167: The Multitude of Living Beings
Chapter 167: The Multitude of Living Beings
The role of Power of Faith needed no further explanation.
To boost faith points, Gao Jing had done many things.
He posted videos to get attention, ran in a marathon on TV, played with donations in a live stream, held big events on Bilibili, and used Nine Apertures to gain popularity.
Besides this, he had fought off thugs, wiped out gangs, donated money to charity, and even helped an old lady cross the street.
Through all these different tries, Gao Jing got mixed results.
Some were very successful, some were quite a flop, some were just as expected, and some came as a surprise!
In all his practice, Gao Jing learned more and more about Power of Faith.
Aside from the amount, Power of Faith also varied in quality.
Inside the “Faith Pool” of the Bronze Anchor’s Storage Space, the purest Power of Faith settled at the bottom, forming just a thin layer.
The higher up, the worse the quality, with some messy stuff mixed in.
Before, Gao Jing hadn’t cared much about this.
Because as long as the Faith Pool filled up, he could level up, and it seemed unrelated to the quality of Power of Faith.
And for everyday use, like taking or putting things in Storage Space, it started from the top, like scooping water with a spoon.
But his gut told him that the quality difference in Power of Faith must mean something.
He just hadn’t run into it yet.
So he felt very pleased with this pure burst of Power of Faith he just got.
Gao Jing felt his hard work had paid off the right way!
Helping others left him feeling good; he didn’t deny that charity was partly for gain.
But with nothing back, he wasn’t a saint.
“Goodbye.”
After saying goodbye to Uncle Zhang, Gao Jing asked Cheng Lingling to make a note on the form.
He would visit people who showed gratitude again.
Back downstairs, Gao Jing picked up two big bags of Northeast rice and two cans of oil.
This area wasn’t just home to Uncle Zhang; there were other needy families.
He again turned down Peng Jia’s offer to help.
Gao Jing just told Peng Jia to carry the bag he was holding.
Peng Jia’s mind was blown.
The grumbling temporary street aid worker knew the bag he was holding was packed with cash!
That weight of over ten kilos meant tens of thousands of bucks!
What happened next kept shocking Peng Jia’s views, over and over.
Using the list from the street office, Gao Jing visited home after home.
No matter how high up they lived, Gao Jing himself lugged the rice and oil upstairs.
He didn’t care if his fancy tracksuit got dirty or his pricey watch got scratched a lot.
Peng Jia and Cheng Lingling couldn’t figure out why Gao Jing did this all.
Giving to charity without fame or profit made sense, but why go to such lengths?
He could easily hire laborers with his money!
They followed Gao Jing, looking puzzled, and racked their brains but couldn’t guess his thoughts.
Gao Jing felt very happy boosting faith.
But this joy and satisfaction slowly faded.
Happy families are alike, but each troubled family has its own troubles.
Gao Jing was once someone who had suffered.
Yet the misfortunes he saw today still shook his soul.
One case: a husband died, leaving big debts; the wife worked hard to raise two kids, eating only pickles with rice.
Another: a kid turned into a vegetable; the aging couple cared for him day and night, ruining their health but still keeping on.
Another: a father was bedridden, a mother was sick, so a teenager skipped school to work and feed the family.
And more…
Though these needy families got government aid and subsidies, it couldn’t truly change their lives.
Gao Jing also couldn’t do more.
He shouldn’t try.
Otherwise, he might get stuck in endless trouble down the road.
All he could do now was offer some help to improve their lives.
Beyond the fixed rice and oil, he gave cash to each family depending on their situation.
To some, he gave ten or twenty thousand yuan; to others, thirty or forty thousand.
But to some, Gao Jing gave nothing!
“You people doing charity, can’t you ask what we need before showing up?”
The male head of this troubled household wore a padded coat and puffed on a cigarette, looking grumpy at the rice and oil Gao Jing put down, and said, “My home has plenty of rice already— give something else!”
Gao Jing stayed calm.
Cheng Lingling couldn’t help but say, “Mr. Huang, I think…”
“I don’t care what you think—I care what I think!”
The stubbly, dark-eyed male head snapped at her rudely, “I think this is no good. With just this junk, I won’t help your interview, and don’t expect me to say nice things!”
He looked down his nose with an air of, “I’m doing you a favor taking this stuff!”
Suddenly, Cheng Lingling frowned hard.
After all, she was new to the job and didn’t yet get how hard life could be; this was her first run-in with such a person.
In contrast, Peng Jia knew much more; he smiled and said, “We’ll remember that next time.”
He winked at Cheng Lingling like a hint.
Because there was no reasoning with such a self-centered person.
And no point in arguing.
Gao Jing turned and left right away.
Cheng Lingling squeezed her anger and followed.
Peng Jia went last.
He weighed the still-heavy cloth bag in his hand and gave the man a look full of meaning.
It screamed mockery and pity.
“I’m really sorry, Mr. Gao.”
After coming out, Cheng Lingling apologized to Gao Jing, “I didn’t expect this family to behave like this.”
“It’s fine.”
Gao Jing spoke gently, “This isn’t your fault. Let’s visit the next one.”
Though the two bags of rice and two barrels of oil had been wasted like dog food without giving him even a speck of Belief in return,
this loss was nothing—just like a lost cause.
Of course, this needy family was definitely going on the blacklist. They weren’t getting another visit.
At noon, Gao Jing treated Cheng Lingling and Peng Jia to lunch.
No fancy restaurant, just a small place by the road, with some homestyle dishes.
“Mr. Gao.”
Peng Jia poured beer for both Gao Jing and himself. Holding his cup with both hands, he said, “I haven’t admired many people in my life, but you’re truly a very good man. I respect you! Let me toast you!”
Peng Jia had witnessed Gao Jing personally deliver bag after bag of rice to different homes.
From morning until noon,
Gao Jing ran up and down stairs over twenty times. He didn’t drink water or complain about being tired!
First, Peng Jia thought Gao Jing was just putting on a show. Later, he figured Gao Jing was just bored.
Now, he genuinely admired him!
Feeling Peng Jia’s Belief returned, Gao Jing smiled and clinked his cup. “Thank you. You’ve worked hard today.”
Peng Jia shook his head vigorously, “Not hard, really. Today felt like the most meaningful work I’ve ever done!”
Cheng Lingling, not wanting to be outdone, chimed in, “Mr. Gao, I want to toast you too!”
“You worked hard as well. Cheers.”
After a good meal,afternoon brought visits to more needy families in the street.
Gao Jing finished quickly. He emptied everything from the pickup truck’s bed and even some goods from the accompanying van.
They gave away hundreds of thousands in cash.
The list of needy families provided by Huiping Street stretched over several pages and included hundreds of names.
Even with Gao Jing’s strong stamina, they couldn’t visit everyone in a single day.
The next day, the third day, the fourth day…
Very soon, the news of a big boss doing charity – delivering rice, oil, and money to the needy – spread fast through Huiping Street.
Many people paid attention.
Some were reporters.
This caused Gao Jing trouble. He wore sunglasses the following days and refused all interview requests.
The most annoying thing was this:
When Gao Jing visited one needy family, others would hear about it and rush over right away.
They’d block him, pleading for help.
Some said their child was critically ill and needed money for treatment, begging Gao Jing for aid.
Others said their family had nothing to eat and begged Gao Jing to help them.
Still others claimed to have business plans sure to make big money and hoped Gao Jing would invest!
After Gao Jing turned them all down flat,
some went away grumbling angrily, while others used some very bad words.
They acted like Gao Jing was their father’s murderer!
Cheng Lingling was so upset she nearly cried.
She also privately told Gao Jing
that matters had grown too big. Reporters wanted stories, and the Huiping Street office leaders hoped to use it for some impressive reports.
They needed Gao Jing’s cooperation.
This made Gao Jing realize it was time to end this “experiment.”
Continuing would only bring more trouble!
Despite not finishing the deliveries or covering every family on the list,
his conscience was perfectly clear.