Chapter 146: This Is Just a Test

Four people were in the room, two sitting and two standing. In the dead of night, the scene looked quite peculiar, yet the hotel security guards had not approached, acting as though nothing at all had happened. Needless to say, the FBI had already briefed the management and sealed off the entire floor.

"I'm curious. Where were you hiding when we came in?" Evans asked, still looking somewhat unconvinced as he glanced at Qiu Fengyu. "I simply don't believe you can turn invisible. We searched everywhere. You left a makeshift rope made of bedsheets, but we all knew it was a trap."

Qiu Fengyu chuckled and shook his head. "You must not stay in five-star hotels very often. If you did, you would know that the ceiling of the bathroom can be easily unlatched and put right back into place when you're done. Many five-star hotels are built this way to facilitate maintenance work; it serves as a utility crawlspace."

Evans fell silent, his face flushing with embarrassment. Scott Ford gave a dry cough and said to Evans, "Go guard the door. Don't let anyone in."

Evans's face instantly turned crimson. It was obvious that Ford was sending him away to prevent him from making any more awkward remarks. Knowing the implication, Evans still executed the order unconditionally.

"Alright, now it's your turn to answer my question," Qiu Fengyu said, turning to Scott Ford. "Why target me? I am confident I haven't left any leverage in the hands of the FBI. And having found me, why take no action against me now? What kind of game is this? Just wasting taxpayers' money?"

His blunt tone made even Scott Ford feel a bit awkward. Monica tried to speak, but Scott Ford stopped her with a gesture. He looked at Qiu Fengyu and said, "We have your complete file, Qiu Fengyu. Formerly a Chinese citizen, you once served in a certain unit in southwest China. You were in a special operations force similar to the Navy SEALs, though you were eventually discharged. As for the reason for your discharge, our records are incomplete."

"Go on," Qiu Fengyu said calmly.

Scott Ford continued, "Later, because you committed a homicide, you fled to Ukraine. During the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, you became a mercenary—or more accurately, a bodyguard, responsible for protecting many high-profile figures. You became quite famous among the mercenaries in Ukraine, earning the moniker 'The Freak' given to you by your peers."

"Those guys are a bunch of bastards!" A slight smile touched the corner of Qiu Fengyu's mouth at the mention of this.

"Later, because you saved a Russian tycoon named Ivan Chadov, he secured a Ukrainian identity for you, which in turn allowed you to obtain a U.S. green card before you came to the United States. And you've been doing quite well for yourself in the small town of Abilene, even finding opportunities to put your skills to use." When Scott Ford reached this part, he wore a confident smile, radiating the assurance of someone who had everything under control. Yes, he believed he had gathered Qiu Fengyu's entire history.

"Anyone could dig up these details just by looking at my passport. It's nothing special," Qiu Fengyu smiled. "What do you want from me?"

"You certainly know someone's name," Scott Ford didn't answer Qiu Fengyu directly, steering the conversation in a different direction. "Anthony Malloy. He is an FBI agent and a legendary figure within the Bureau, having accomplished many great things. I have always admired him for that."

Qiu Fengyu nodded. "I see... That explains everything. Was it him who sent you here? I know I still owe him a favor. What did he send you to do? Surely it wasn't just to put me through a test like that—assuming that door-smashing entrance earlier was meant as a test."

"It was indeed a test," Scott Ford nodded at Qiu Fengyu and stood up. "We are here to recruit you now. That stunt just now was a test designed for our recruitment process. I am extremely satisfied with the final result. After all, you are the candidate recommended by Anthony Malloy. Anyone who can earn his high regard must truly possess extraordinary abilities."

"Oh, crap, how can you do this?" Qiu Fengyu stood up abruptly without warning, cursed, and stared straight at Scott Ford. "Hell no, this is out of the question. I am not joining the FBI. I'm sorry, I have never entertained such a thought, and... I don't want to court trouble. I just want to live a peaceful life, nothing more."

Scott Ford smiled as he looked at Qiu Fengyu. "Everyone wants a peaceful life, including us, but... once we take on this line of work, we don't have a choice. You know, the FBI recruits a lot of people from society every year, and they are all elites..."

"Including me? No, you're wrong. Under U.S. law, I don't hold U.S. citizenship, nor am I a formal American citizen, so I cannot become an FBI agent," Qiu Fengyu shook his head. "It's against the rules."

"It is entirely within the rules, Mr. Qiu. The U.S. government spends a considerable amount of money every year on recruiting individuals who do not hold U.S. citizenship to join the FBI. After you work for the FBI for a year and receive a satisfactory performance review, you become eligible for official citizenship," Scott Ford continued.

"Do I have the right to refuse?" Qiu Fengyu bypassed the argument and asked directly.

"Of course, you certainly have the right to refuse, but... since you were recommended by Anthony Malloy, why don't you call him directly and ask him what he has to say?" Scott Ford said with absolute confidence. "So... would you like us to step outside?"

"No, that's not necessary," Qiu Fengyu said. He pulled out his phone, walked into the inner room by himself, and as soon as the call connected, he lowered his voice and shouted into the receiver, "Crap, what are you trying to do? Are you trying to get me killed? What on earth were you thinking, getting me to join the FBI? Have you lost your mind?"

"Haha, the fact that you're saying this means you must have passed Ford's test. I knew a test of that difficulty wouldn't stump you, am I right?" Anthony's laughter came through the line. "Calm down, man. Don't be like that, you need to cool your head."

"I can't calm down, Anthony. You said I was your friend. Is this how you treat a friend? Damn it, you're going to hell," Qiu Fengyu said, sounding somewhat exasperated and angry. "I will never agree to this. I said... absolutely not."

"No, my friend, joining the FBI comes with many benefits. Especially for you," Anthony laughed. "This isn't your traditional FBI. We are recruiting covert agents scattered across various locations with hidden identities. Of course, these people receive some training, but afterward, they return to their respective places and continue living their normal lives. However, whenever the FBI needs to activate you, you must step up and serve the Bureau."

"Whatever form it takes, I don't want it," Qiu Fengyu refused to buy it. "Save that pitch for the rookies. They might enthusiastically agree, but I know better—don't paint the future so brightly. The more deeply undercover an agent is, the more dangerous the missions they face when finally activated. At the end of the day, you're just treating them as cannon fodder. You won't easily grant those people official U.S. citizenship; the price is pure hazard."

"Look, you just need to know one thing: I would never harm you. I simply want you to have a legitimate status. When the time comes for you to deal with the people you want to settle scores with, wouldn't you want to have that kind of official backing? Qiu... you are destined to be an extraordinary person. If you want to live an ordinary life, you have to constantly clean up the endless stream of trouble that comes your way."

"No, I refuse." Qiu Fengyu hung up the phone, walked back out to face Scott Ford, and said, "Sorry, pal, I can't agree to this. This is my final decision, and there's no need to discuss it further with Anthony. I've made my stance explicitly clear to him. We're parting ways amicably, which is the best outcome."

"Of course, that is your right. We cannot force you to join," Scott Ford nodded and extended his hand toward Qiu Fengyu. "Very well, we will be leaving. It's a pity, but it was still a pleasure meeting you, Qiu. You truly are an exceptional man. Think it over; you don't have to give me your answer right now. Here is my business card... Whenever you change your mind, just give me a call!" With that, he handed over a business card.

Qiu Fengyu took it, walked over to the entrance, and pushed open the ruined door.

Scott Ford and Monica stepped out, nodded at Qiu Fengyu, and turned to leave. They had only taken a few steps when they heard Qiu Fengyu's voice from behind: "Hey, wait a minute."

Scott Ford turned around, full of hope, and smiled at Qiu Fengyu. "I hope you've changed your mind."

"No, Mr. Ford. Please inform the hotel front desk that since you guys smashed this door in, the compensation shouldn't fall on me, alright?" Qiu Fengyu said, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness.

With a resigned shrug, Scott Ford turned and walked away alongside Monica and Evans, who had just emerged from the doorway. As the three of them stepped into the elevator, Evans asked impatiently, "He just turned it down like that? What the hell, he should feel honored to be invited."

"Have you always felt honored to be in the FBI?" Scott Ford shot him an irritated look. "He was right to refuse, at least for someone in his position. But we still need men like him—we just haven't quite managed to see eye to eye yet."

"What do we do now? We wasted a lot of time and money because of this jerk," Monica muttered, referring to the smashed door. "Are we just leaving like this?"

"What else can we do? Anthony Malloy said if he refuses, we shouldn't pressure him and should just let him walk; he'll handle it. I trust Mr. Malloy implicitly; he used to be my mentor," Scott Ford said, glancing at Monica. "Let's go. It wasn't a waste of time. It was precisely because Mr. Anthony Malloy recommended him that I arranged this test, and as you saw, the results proved he was worth the effort." (To be continued.)