Chapter 83: Striving to Become the First Generation of Wealth

The next day!

The group of PMC operatives, including Tiger, who were about to leave after completing their mission, invited Xing Xiaolong to join them for morning tea. They all expected him to choose one of their teams, but Black Fox proudly announced that she was the ultimate winner.

Upon learning that Xing Xiaolong had chosen Black Fox, Tiger and the others were stunned for quite some time.

They had all assumed that someone like Xing Xiaolong—courageous, intelligent, clear-minded, young, and with plenty of room for growth, standing at the threshold of a rapid ascent in life but lacking combat experience—would value personal development most, followed by good prospects. Money, surely, would be the last consideration.

That’s why, during last night’s efforts to recruit him, each tried to impress with tales of their powerful employers, their own illustrious reputations in the industry, and their wealth of experience, promising to guide Xing Xiaolong toward greatness.

No one mentioned money!

Unexpectedly, Black Fox, who ultimately won him over, did exactly the opposite. She didn’t talk about her employer—because she had none. She wasn’t part of any military contracting company, nor did she have a former boss. Her entire pitch revolved around a single thing—

Money!

Not only did she speak about it, she brought a suitcase full of cash, even though a card payment would have sufficed and commissions are usually paid after the mission. She presented the allure of money in its most direct and fundamental form to Xing Xiaolong.

The result...

Louis couldn’t win him over on the spot, and even Tiger and Bald Head, who offered olive branches together, needed a night for Xing Xiaolong to consider.

But Xing Xiaolong didn’t even need to think it over. He immediately threw himself into Black Fox’s arms.

For Tiger and the others, it was a complete shock.

They could only smile bitterly!

From that one event, Xing Xiaolong’s image among the group expanded beyond brave, responsible, and a promising talent worthy of cultivation.

He now carried a universally recognized label—

He likes money!

Of course, there was no malice in this. Everyone has their own obsession, and a distinctive tag is born to represent one’s personal traits.

Whether it’s beautiful women, fine wine, power, the thrill of combat, or other personal passions, these all become part of your image.

Xing Xiaolong’s fondness for money was now a fresh understanding for Tiger and the others. If only they’d known this sooner, they would have all brought cash last night, and Black Fox wouldn’t have snatched the opportunity.

Sadly, it was too late.

Though disappointed that Xing Xiaolong wouldn’t be joining their teams, Tiger, Bald Head, and the others respected his choice.

Before leaving, they all wished him well and hoped for future collaboration.

They emphasized—

If there’s ever a chance to make big money, they’ll be sure to call on this money-loving wonder.

...

With all the aftermath handled at the Peace Hotel, Tiger and the others departed, each going their own way. Xing Xiaolong was finally free to leave and visit Su Dayu in the hospital.

Unfortunately, Black Fox needed to report before nightfall, so Xing Xiaolong’s time was limited.

Su Dayu, now fully awake and in stable condition, simply needed her wounds to heal and a follow-up check before being discharged. When she saw Xing Xiaolong arrive unharmed, her eyes brimmed with joy.

Xing Xiaolong worried about the wealthy Miss Su, but she had been worried about him as well.

Neither had voiced their concerns.

But when Xing Xiaolong mentioned he’d found a new job, wasn’t going to be her farm’s security chief, and bragged about making hundreds of thousands in just a few days—

Miss Su’s face instantly fell. She scolded him earnestly, “My dear teacher, do you really believe you can make hundreds of thousands in just a few days? Have you become foolish from your time in the army? Even a three-year-old knows that’s a scam, and yet you believe it? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be cheated and shipped off to some remote mine as a slave laborer…”

Anxious and angry, she lectured Xing Xiaolong for ages, hoping to bring him back to his senses.

By the end, her eyes were red with frustration, and she exclaimed—

Are you trying to drive me mad?

Su Dayu didn’t know Xing Xiaolong had saved her; the only information she received was that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the state had worked tirelessly to rescue her.

So when she heard about Xing Xiaolong’s new job making hundreds of thousands in a few days, her first thought was that he’d encountered a scam.

And she was convinced he’d been brainwashed.

Xing Xiaolong, berated by Su Dayu and having his intelligence questioned, could only smile helplessly.

He knew she meant well, but he had just joined a new group and wasn’t yet familiar with the PMC industry. Rather than giving a half-baked explanation that might be wrong, it was better to say nothing for now.

As for why he could earn so much in a few days, such government-cooperative work was strictly confidential and couldn’t be disclosed.

It wasn’t even on television news—that alone said enough.

Having served several years in the army, Xing Xiaolong understood the basics of confidentiality.

Most importantly—

He didn’t want Miss Su to know he was entering a high-risk profession, risking his life for money, and for that news to reach his family and worry his parents.

So no matter how earnestly Miss Su pleaded, he had no intention of revealing the truth.

He would explain once he succeeded in his career.

Since he’d already seen her, and Miss Su had spent nearly ten minutes lecturing him without pausing for breath—clearly, she was in good health—Xing Xiaolong’s last worry was eased.

“Only one minute left—I have to go.”

He checked his phone, decided Miss Su’s lecture had run its course, and stood up. “Miss Su, do you really think your teacher is so easily fooled? It’s a proper job, just not convenient to talk about now. You’ll find out when the time comes. Well, someone’s waiting for me outside—I need to leave now. Take care in the hospital, heal up, and when I’ve made big money, I’ll treat you to a feast. I’ll be back in at most half a month.”

With that, Xing Xiaolong rose and headed for the door, unwilling to let his inexplicable reluctance sway his decision.

Perhaps sensing his determination, Miss Su’s eyes lost their earlier frustration, replaced by deep disappointment.

She murmured, “If I offer you two hundred thousand a month, would you stay?”

Xing Xiaolong abruptly halted.

After three seconds, he steadied his trembling voice and replied with a teasing tone, “Two hundred thousand a month? That’s too little—I’m off to make big money and become a first-generation tycoon, haha!”

He waved cheerfully and walked out of the ward without looking back.

“You fool, you big pig—”

Miss Su snatched up her pillow and hurled it fiercely after him, as if to wake up this super-stubborn man. But the soft pillow only hit the door as it closed.