Li Wei posted the job listing on several closed military-contractor forums at 3 a.m.
"Security & logistics specialist required. High compensation. Absolute loyalty mandatory. Beijing suburbs. Reply with military service summary + photo of right palm (scar verification required). Serious inquiries only."
Over two hundred applications flooded in within twenty-four hours.
He filtered ruthlessly.
Twelve candidates made the cut.
Interviews took place in an abandoned factory twenty kilometers away — candidates blindfolded during transport, phones confiscated.
The first six failed the loyalty test within minutes. Each was offered 500,000 RMB cash to report back on the "boss's" identity and location after one month. All accepted eagerly.
The seventh man — Chen Hao, thirty-four, former PLA Special Operations Brigade — stared at the thick envelope Li Wei placed on the rusty table.
"Five hundred thousand. Just tell me who you really work for in thirty days."
Chen Hao pushed the envelope back an inch with two fingers.
"I left the army because I was tired of politics, corruption, and lies. If your operation is clean, I stay. If not, I walk. But I don't sell information."
Li Wei studied the man's steady gaze for a long moment.
Then he withdrew the cash.
"Welcome aboard. Starting salary: 80,000 RMB per month. Full medical coverage. Family housing if required. First assignment: assist with perimeter fortification."
Chen Hao exhaled slowly, surprise flickering across his face before it settled into quiet respect.
That evening, Chen Hao met Old Huang for the first time. The dog sniffed him once, gave a single tail wag, then lay down beside him.
"Even the dog gives approval," Chen Hao muttered with the ghost of a smile.
Li Wei handed him a keycard and access codes.
"You report only to me. No one else. Not yet."
As Chen Hao left to inspect the outer fence line under floodlights, another PI message arrived.
"Li Na was assaulted by Wang Hao last night. Bruises visible in mirror selfie she posted — then deleted. Caption read: 'Men are all trash except family.' Received 340 likes from relatives before removal."
Li Wei deleted the message without saving.
Family.
The word tasted like ash.