Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 445 The Essence Behind the Prosperity

"Why don't you stay inside?"

On the huge terrace of a building in New York, just as Song Heping was staring at the night view in the distance, Angel's voice came from behind him.

"I'm just a little uncomfortable..."

Song Heping turned around, gave the approaching beauty a slightly embarrassed smile and said, "I have a bit of social anxiety."

As he spoke, his eyes passed over Angel's shoulder and fell on the door not far away.

Although I couldn't hear the music in the banquet hall through the floor-to-ceiling glass of the door, I could see well-dressed men and women walking around in it, gathering in groups of three or four and chatting happily.

Angel didn't say anything, just smiled and walked to the railing of the terrace, looking into the distance.

After a long moment, she pointed the champagne glass in her hand forward and asked, "Tell me, what did you see?"

Song Heping turned around again and looked into the distance.

Not far away, the night view of New York is like a never-ending light and shadow drama, pushing the charm of this city that never sleeps to the extreme.

The Manhattan skyline is one of the most iconic sights. The glass facades of the skyscrapers reflect the vibrant neon lights, creating shimmering streaks of light that reach into the sky. Iconic structures like the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and the Freedom Tower gleam in the night sky, towering like giants amidst the dimming lights.

This is one of the most prosperous cities in America, a gathering place of money, ambition and desire.

"The night view is beautiful." He deliberately kept it to himself, only discussing the surface, because Song Heping himself did not like to easily reveal his inner thoughts: "This country is quite prosperous, worthy of being a superpower."

Angel turned to look at Song Heping: "Song, your heart is always wrapped in armor, but you don't have to be like this with me."

Song Heping was slightly stunned.

Yes, it seems that I am a little too wary of Angel.

This kind of talk actually does not involve any secrets and should not be concealed.

"Angel, I'm sorry," he said. "Maybe it's my job, or maybe it's a habit I developed since childhood. My self-protection mechanism is a little too sensitive."

Angel sighed: "I'm not blaming you, Orientals are indeed more reserved."

After turning his gaze to the distance again, Angel suddenly asked: "Then tell me your true feelings, what did you see?"

"Money, power, desire and prosperity, this is the country of the ambitious." Song Heping did not hide it this time.

"Not quite," Angel said. "It's not a country."

"Ok?"

Song Heping was a little surprised: "Not a country?"

Angel said, "Song, the reason you see a country in this prosperous scene is that your perspective is not high enough. This is not a country..."

She turned her gaze to Song Heping again, the smile gone from her face, and said very seriously, "This is a company."

"company?"

It was the first time Song Heping heard someone describe America as a company. It was quite fresh, so he couldn't help but ask, "How do you explain this concept?"

Angel said, "This country's government is just a makeshift team. You can say it's a team of managers, but it's not the people here who appoint them, but the chaebols and groups behind them. Do you understand what I mean?"

Song Heping was brainstormed by Angel, but he couldn't find any words to answer at once. He could only nod thoughtfully without saying anything.

Angel continued, "When you one day become someone who can influence power, you will understand these words."

Song Heping said: "I was not educated in this way. The country is my home and my roots, not some company."

"I know," Angel said, "but this is America, a place made up of immigrants, controlled by plutocracy, with authority established by the military-industrial complex, and using the US dollar as a tool of colonization."

Song Heping couldn't close his mouth.

He felt that the girl in front of him was drunk.

She is American...

Why does this sound weird?

This is her own country, doesn't she love it? Seeing his surprised expression, Angel couldn't help but laugh: "Why? I see you seem surprised. Do you think it's cruel for me, as an American, to say this?"

Song Heping nodded, not hiding his thoughts: "Yes, in my opinion, this is unimaginable. In our country, family and country are one. Prosperity and adversity are shared by all."

Angel said, "That's because your country is not a corporation."

"..."

Song Heping remained speechless.

Angel turned and pointed in the direction of the banquet hall not far away.

"Did you see the people in there? Here tonight are state and city officials, congressmen, even members of both houses of Congress. Besides that, there are also people from the military, Wall Street elites, and New York celebrities. But in the over an hour you've been in there, have you ever seen them talk about loving this country? No, all they talk about is business, how to gain more partisan benefits and make themselves richer. They talk about terms like national threats, but peel back the surface and you'll find profit. In this world of fame and fortune, the country is just a company, and they're just shareholders. They have stakes in more than one company, but the American brand is simply the most powerful of their holdings."

"I have to say that your statement is very novel. It's the first time I've heard of it," said Song Heping.

Angel continued, "Song, your company is no longer the small team of a few people it once was. You're taking a huge risk by joining the Colombian government's crackdown this time, are you aware? Once the CIA learns that you're supporting the ELN, they won't let you go."

Song Heping smiled and said, "When I met you, weren't you also being hunted by the CIA and the military?"

"I'm different from you," Angel said. "We're part of this circle, and you're not. I can use my cards to deal with some people in Washington, or officials in the military or the CIA we don't like. But you're an outsider, not yet in this circle. If you provoke someone in the circle, you'll be crushed like a bug."

"I don't like being crushed to death," Song Heping said. "It's not that easy for them to crush me to death."

Angel said, "Do you know why I brought you here tonight?"

Song Heping thought for a moment and then replied, "You want to bring me into the circle?"

Angel neither admitted nor denied it: "But you don't have the qualifications yet. When you have the ability, I will recommend you to them."

Song Heping asked: "Then how can I prove my strength?"

Angel said, "Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others have to fight their way to the top step by step. Which one are you?"

"It seems I have to rely on myself." Song Heping said.

Angel smiled and said, "It's difficult to break through the social class, especially since you're Chinese. But I'm optimistic about you, Song. You have great potential. Remember, as your strength grows, people will naturally come to you, and I'll help you then. But before that, I can only give you a little help in secret."

Listening to Angel's conversation, Song Heping began to look at the beautiful girl in front of him with admiration.

"Why do I feel like... you're completely different from the Angel you were in Irigo?" Song Heping teased, "You can't tell you're the same person anymore. Back then, you were always screaming and getting scared to death, but now..."

He gestured with his hands to express his admiration.

"It's a different situation," Angel said. "You're a professional soldier. You were taught how to shoot and kill people, but I'm not. If you take me back to Irigo now, I'll still scream if I'm attacked."

Song Heping nodded in agreement.

In terms of military affairs, I am better than Angel.

But when it comes to political manipulation, I am far behind.

"I have to say, Angel, you really are a mentor."

Song Heping raised his glass sincerely and gestured for a clink.

Angel didn't clink glasses with him, but suddenly said coquettishly: "What? Just your mentor and friend?"

As he spoke, the man came closer like a cat.

The distance was shortened again, and Song Heping could feel Angel's breath, like the fragrance of orchid entering his nostrils.

"I live alone in New York. Do you want to come over to my house tonight?"

"Go to your home?"

"Are we going to the hotel?"

"no……"