Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 351 Master, what kind of work do you do?
The sky was darkening, and a gray-blue hue appeared at the horizon.

The hotel's ceiling fans spun slowly, breaking up the dim, yellowish light into fragmented pieces.

The balcony's French windows were half-closed, and the wind slipped in through the curtains, causing the documents to flutter.

Daniel leaned back on the sofa, staring blankly at the report in front of him.

He didn't smoke or drink water; he just sat there quietly.

The door opened.

Wallace walked in and casually tossed his coat onto a chair.

"You must have heard about it." He looked somewhat tired.
"It's been approved by Congress."

"Full authorization. The conscription cap has been raised and the budget increased."

As Wallace spoke, he sat down opposite him on the sofa and handed over a pack of cigarettes.

Daniel shook his head. "I thought Russell would object."

“He didn’t object,” Wallace said.

“He cannot publicly oppose the president at a time like this.”

A car horn sounded from outside the wall.

"Therefore, the delegation will return home tomorrow morning. The flight will depart at 7:00 AM."

Silence fell again.

The shadow of the ceiling fan swayed on the ceiling.

Wallace sighed.

“I know this trip is too straightforward for you.”

He paused, as if choosing the appropriate way to express himself.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this—but I don't regret it at all."

Daniel smiled and turned to look at him.

"Do you think I learned anything from this?"

"You learned about reality, the kind of thing you can't read about in books."

Wallace got up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains a little.

As the streetlights came on, the crowds thronged, and a man on a motorcycle sped past the intersection.

"One day, you will reach a position where you can decide the life and death of others."

"I hope that the bloodshed that day will help you stop viewing death in such an abstract way."

"Don't be like me back then, only understanding this principle too late."

Daniel noticed his mentor's expression and was deeply moved.

He was about to say something when Wallace suddenly glanced at his watch.

Then, the subject changed.

"Now, we've discussed enough serious topics."

A slight smile appeared on his face.

"Let's go for a walk, Dan."

"Now?" Daniel asked blankly.

"Now's the time," Wallace said with an air of self-righteousness.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."

"You should take advantage of this last bit of time to experience the exotic culture."

Daniel looked even more confused.

"Now? Sir, I don't think anyone is in the mood to go out right now."

“Now, of course,” Wallace said with certainty.

"Young people should learn to extricate themselves from chaos."

"Let's have a drink and take a walk before the city is covered in camouflage."

"Don't waste time in the hotel room with an old man like me."

Since Wallace had already said so, Daniel couldn't refuse any longer.

"See you later then."

He stood up, grabbed his coat, and walked out.
However, just as his hand touched the doorknob, Wallace's voice rang out behind him again.

"Dan—"

He stopped.

“Remember,” Wallace said, “the choice is always yours.”

Upon hearing this, Daniel immediately turned around, his brows furrowing slightly.

"What are you doing?"

Wallace said nothing more at this moment, only waving his hand at him.

"It's nothing. Go ahead."

Daniel stared at him suspiciously, unable to discern anything for a long time.

So he didn't ask any more questions, and gently pushed the door open and went out.

Night has fallen completely.

The air was humid and warm, and a gentle breeze carried the sweet aroma of mangoes.

Rows of streetlights stretched into the distance.

The crowd continued to move, like a slowly flowing river.

Daniel left the hotel, buttoned up his shirt collar, and strolled north.

He didn't have anywhere he wanted to go, so he simply started wandering around aimlessly.

Cafes along the road, cigarette stalls, and young people riding motorcycles.

My ears were filled with a cacophony of greetings.

Daniel passed by a pub with neon lights and heard a familiar broadcast.

The buzzing of electricity was mixed with slightly distorted English:
“The United States Senate today has voted overwhelmingly to authorizefull military engagement”

He paused for a moment and looked up.

The sky was as dark as thick, inky ink, and the stars were almost invisible.

"Lucky Clover Bar"

The signboard is dazzling and eye-catching.

Daniel hesitated for a moment, then finally pushed open the door and went inside.

The bar wasn't big, but it was packed with people.

Smoke floated in mid-air.

There were old baseball team photos on the wall, and American country music was playing on the radio.

Behind the bar was a young Vietnamese man.

Daniel casually found a seat on the side and ordered a beer.

The ice cubes hit the glass, making a soft, crackling sound.

He looked up and glanced around.

Several white men were throwing dice, and two Vietnamese women were pressing themselves against them.

In the corner, a man who looked like a reporter was writing a draft.

He took a sip of beer, and it tasted surprisingly good. He took another sip.

The next second, the chair next to them was pulled out.

Someone sat down.

“I’ll have one too,” the man said to the bartender, “the same one as his.”

Daniel turned his head to the side.

He was a white man, unshaven, in his thirties, wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt.

She looked so ordinary that I could hardly remember her.

Good evening, Daniel Wisniewsky.

The man spoke, his tone relaxed.

"I have to say, you're a handsome young man who's even more attractive in person than in photos."

Daniel paused.

The other person smiled and extended their right hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. You can call me Robert."

Daniel didn't reach out.

The man didn't seem to care; he simply withdrew his hand and took the glass from the bartender.

The air was briefly still.

Then, Daniel suddenly spoke up.

"You're from the CIA?"

Robert laughed out loud.

“We prefer to call ourselves the ‘Secret Operations Division’.”

Daniel didn't reply, but silently stared at him.

Robert took a sip of his drink and began to speak to himself:
"To be honest, we've been following you for a while now."

"why?"

"Because of your talent."

“People with language, analytical, and cultural understanding skills are rare.”

"So, what do you need me for?"

“We value people like you.”

"The situation in Vietnam will change very quickly."

"The front lines need not only soldiers, but also sharp minds."

"I believe you understand what I mean."

"What if I say no?"

"That's probably not the answer we want to hear."

"I do not think so."

Daniel's words completely disrupted Robert's plans.

He blinked, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed.

"So, he told you in advance, right?"

Daniel shrugged. "Who?"

“Wallace.” Robert’s voice carried a hint of helplessness.

"What a cunning old fox."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately changed his posture and relaxed completely.

"Okay, threatening me isn't the right approach for you."

"You're more interesting than I expected."

Daniel didn't respond.

Robert dropped his airs, finished his beer in a few gulps, and wiped his mouth.

“We’ve been studying your file for three years, Daniel,” he said.

"To be precise, I'm the one tracking your file."

Therefore, I know what kind of person you are.

Daniel became interested. "What kind of person do you think I am?"

“An ambitious young man,” Robert said, pointing at him.

"Everyone has ambition, but yours is different."

“You know you have the ability to turn your ambitions into reality, so you won’t be bound by the moral excuses that people use to soothe their conscience.”

"Do you think I'm a Machiavellian figure?"

"Don't misunderstand, this is not an insult. It's the highest form of praise."

Daniel's smile vanished completely. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

“What I’m trying to say is…” Robert sniffed.

"We can give you that opportunity to move up. It's right here."

As he said this, he moved a little closer.

"Congress voted three hours ago, and the rapid reaction force will arrive tomorrow."

"But that was just the beginning."

"The landscape of Asia will be completely rewritten within a few months."

"Like Berlin, like Guatemala, like Manila."

He stared intently at Daniel.

“We want you to be a part of it.”

"No longer just writing reports, but turning reports into action."

"You will be dealing with the most powerful people in this region."

"Your ideas will directly shape the future of a nation."

“Daniel, we have the ability to make all your dreams come true.”

"To be more precise, the United States has the ability to make all your dreams come true."

"."

Daniel's gaze passed over Robert and landed outside the window.

Neon lights flashed on the street, flags fluttered in the wind, and motorcycles roared past.

A Vietnamese girl walked by arm in arm with a soldier, their laughter echoing through the air.

Robert continued talking.

The light reflected on the wine, making it appear as if it were plated with a layer of gilding.

Daniel looked at it as if he were gazing at his own life.

After that, he couldn't remember how many times he nodded.

Once, twice, three times?
"Count me in," a voice said.

"A new beginning."

(End of this chapter)