Chapter 80: Too Powerful, and That's a Headache Too (Second Chapter, Please Vote for Recommendations)

Because of his outstanding performance during this mission, Xing Xiaolong caught Louis’s attention, earned his trust, and was offered the position of his personal bodyguard.

To be honest…

Anyone would be lying if they said they weren’t excited.

After all, this meant an annual income of six or seven million, which would amount to sixty or seventy million after ten years, and nearly two hundred million yuan after a twenty-year contract—a staggering sum.

With a deal like this, he would never have to worry about money again.

To become a billionaire was something that had always seemed impossibly distant for Xing Xiaolong, a soldier from a rural background.

He never even dared to dream about it.

But now, it was within reach.

All Xing Xiaolong had to do was nod in agreement, then give his utmost effort to obtain the “protect certificate,” and finally sign his name on the two-decade contract—then, a yearly salary of nearly ten million yuan would be his.

Who wouldn’t be thrilled at such an opportunity?

Yet, amid all this excitement, the last shred of rationality in Xing Xiaolong made him uneasy about this pie falling from the sky, this sudden stroke of fortune bestowed by a benefactor.

The surreal and overwhelming sense of unreality that accompanied such luck was hard to ignore.

Although he was tempted to agree immediately, Xing Xiaolong forced himself to suppress his pounding heart and decided to reply to Louis the next day.

His reason for this was simple.

He wanted to give himself some time to cool off, to let the adrenaline and excitement subside.

Only with a clear head could he calmly weigh the pros and cons of the situation and make the most appropriate decision.

Xing Xiaolong was not blinded by money and didn’t rush to sign the contract, which didn’t disappoint Louis—in fact, it made him appreciate Xing Xiaolong’s character even more.

The ability to restrain one’s desires and understand the importance of calmness is the foundation of emotional control.

And such self-control is essential for an outstanding bodyguard.

“I’ve already booked my flight. Tomorrow at five in the afternoon, before then, if you’ve made your decision, you can come find me anytime. Here’s my card.”

Louis handed Xing Xiaolong a blue, gold-edged business card. As he rose with the help of his cane and walked to the door, he suddenly remembered something.

From the inside pocket of his suit, he took out a small, round pendant resembling a pocket watch.

With a click, Louis pressed a small button on the side, and the lid sprang open, revealing a small circular compartment that perfectly held a gold coin.

Xing Xiaolong recognized this coin—it was the same kind he had handed over to the Peace Hotel.

“This is a little gift from my daughter, Athilicia, as a reward for your bravery and in gratitude for saving her life.

She had wanted to come in person, but the Peace Hotel has strict confidentiality rules. Allowing me to come here to see you is already an exception.

The coin inside is called a Peace Token. It’s accepted at all Peace Hotels worldwide. I don’t think I need to explain its use—you’re already aware. Keep it safe; perhaps one day, it could save your life.”

With those words, Louis closed the pendant and handed it to Xing Xiaolong.

“Mr. Louis, forgive me for asking, but it seems the Peace Hotel is much more than just a hotel. Could you tell me a little more about it?” Xing Xiaolong accepted the pendant and finally voiced the question that had long weighed on his heart.

“The world appears the same everywhere, but in fact, it’s divided into many layers. Right now, you’re standing too low—you can’t see the world above. Even if you could, it would do you more harm than good.”

Louis withdrew his hand and straightened his clothes. He hadn’t intended to say more, but seeing the yearning in Xing Xiaolong’s eyes, he smiled and continued, “You don’t need to think too much about it. Just think of the Peace Hotel as an intermediary.

People with sufficient status can use the Peace Token to enjoy the high-quality services provided by the Peace Hotel, while those who are certified as ‘waiters’ by the hotel can register to take on service tasks.

The supply and demand between these two groups are connected by the Peace Hotel—nothing more.

If you want to know more, I cannot say. You’ll have to keep climbing higher and higher yourself. When you stand on a high enough rung, you’ll find the answers you seek.

Of course, if you’re willing to accept the contract, you can also, by staying by my side, come to know that world which ordinary people can never access. That’s all I can tell you. I’ll wait for your reply.”

With that, Louis patted Xing Xiaolong on the arm. While Xing Xiaolong was still absorbing all this information, Louis left the room, leaning on his cane.

“An intermediary? Sufficient status? ‘Waiters’? Are Tiger and the others the waiters of the Peace Hotel?”

Although Louis hadn’t spelled everything out, the information he did reveal was already explosive enough for Xing Xiaolong.

He now understood that the world not only had layers of hierarchy, but also secret organizations serving the upper echelons of society.

Even the so-called ‘waiters’ were nothing like what he had once imagined.

“Louis was absolutely right. For someone of my background, what use is knowing about the Peace Hotel? Can I afford to enjoy those services? Perhaps one day, if I reach a higher position, I can look into it more thoroughly.”

Xing Xiaolong laughed at himself, closed the door, returned to the living room, and examined the small pendant in his hand. He then removed his soldier’s dog tag from his neck and threaded the pendant onto the same chain, wearing them together.

Louis hadn’t been wrong—given the formidable power of the Peace Hotel, the gold coin inside this pendant really might save his life one day.

He resolved to keep it safe; after all, no one could guarantee a lifetime of peace.

As for Athilicia, the one who had given him the pendant—Xing Xiaolong had little impression of her. At the time, his attention had been entirely on Lady Su, and he hadn’t noticed Athilicia at all.

Now, as he tried to recall, he could remember nothing of her features—only those violet eyes.

Sparkling like diamonds.

Very beautiful.

…

Louis’s visit seemed to have triggered something, for the moment he left and Xing Xiaolong had just put the necklace back around his neck, the doorbell rang once more.

This time, it was two people—

Dennis Korich, the bald sharpshooter, and Tristan.

After some conversation, Xing Xiaolong learned of their identities and the reason for their visit. Thinking of Louis, who had just left, he couldn’t help but feel a bit exasperated.

The two were veteran sniper partners from Erinys International, a private military contracting company based in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Cyprus, Erinys International operates across much of Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, with over 16,000 contractors deployed across 280 dangerous locations.

Their purpose for coming was much the same as Louis’s—they too wanted to extend an olive branch to Xing Xiaolong.

Unlike Louis, who wanted a personal bodyguard, Dennis and Tristan simply admired Xing Xiaolong’s courage. To thank him for stepping up at the critical moment, they decided to jointly recommend him to their company.

Once he joined, they would be glad to have Xing Xiaolong on their action team.

However, before Xing Xiaolong had a chance to consider, Tiger arrived with several bottles of liquor.

Seeing Dennis and Tristan already there, Tiger immediately guessed their intentions.

He had brought drinks to recruit Xing Xiaolong, only to be beaten to the punch.

Naturally, Tiger was not pleased!

He launched into a barrage of Russian curses at Dennis and Tristan. Just as he was about to entice Xing Xiaolong to join him for a life of luxury and beautiful Russian women—

Ding dong! Ding dong!

The doorbell to Xing Xiaolong’s room rang once again.