CHAPTER 838: CHAPTER 838: SMALL TOWN

Xu Ke arrived at a small town in the south. It’s already coat-wearing season in the north, and soon people might need to wear padded jackets. But here, pedestrians are everywhere in floral shirts and colorful shorts, with various stalls set up along the roadside. People of different ages and genders stand around chatting or inspecting goods. It looks like an ordinary, forgettable small town, nothing like the hub of the Shadow Organization as described in the intelligence.

Xu Ke arrived dressed like a tourist, and initially, he drew a few glances. However, soon nobody seemed to notice him, as people continued with their activities, leaving Xu Ke feeling out of place, his presence as an intruder increasingly apparent.

"Excuse me, old man, is there a hotel in this town?" Xu Ke stopped an elderly gentleman who was buying fruit and began to ask.

"What did you say?" The old man, taking change from the vendor, loudly responded.

"I asked if you know where the hotel is in the town?" Xu Ke patiently repeated his question.

"Huh?" The old man inquired again loudly.

"Don’t ask him; his hearing isn’t good due to his age. You’re talking to him from the side, so he has no clue what you’re saying. You need to speak to him face-to-face so he can see your mouth movements to understand you," explained the vendor, intercepting Xu Ke’s intention to repeat his question.

Hearing this explanation from the vendor, Xu Ke gave up speaking to the elderly man and instead turned his attention to the vendor.

"Just walk straight down this road, turn left at the end, and keep walking until you see a hotel. It’s the only hotel in our town," the vendor said, waving his fan to chase away flies and bugs.

Xu Ke glanced at the direction the vendor pointed out, wore a grateful expression, and then said, "Thank you. If you hadn’t told me, I might have ended up sleeping on the street tonight." His face revealed a wry smile, luring people to delve deeper into his circumstances.

"Why would you sleep on the street? You can just search for directions on your phone," the vendor predictably responded to Xu Ke’s comment.

"My phone was stolen. Things have been quite unlucky recently. I originally planned to travel, but ended up in the wrong place after sleeping through a stop. I don’t even know where I am now. I intended to buy a ticket home, but the last train ticket was sold out. So tonight, I’m stuck here and need to find a place to stay. On top of that, I don’t know where I lost my phone, so I have to ask for directions. Thankfully, I met you, a kind-hearted person, or I really would be sleeping on the street tonight," Xu Ke spoke with gratitude evident in his eyes.

"By the way, do you have a mobile store in town? Without a phone, it’s inconvenient to do anything. I’m thinking of buying one," Xu Ke scratched his head, revealing a simple smile.

"Oh, if you want to buy a phone, it’s far from here. It’s too complicated to explain briefly; maybe find someone else to ask?" suggested the vendor.

"Alright, thanks," Xu Ke didn’t press further, dragging his suitcase away, heading towards the hotel.

The place was peaceful and serene, not at all like a hub of criminal activity.

Xu Ke continued walking casually, cigarette dangling from his mouth, appearing as if he were genuinely on a tourist visit.

"I’d like a standard room," Xu Ke requested upon arriving at the hotel. The front desk was managed by an elderly, overweight woman engrossed in gaming on her phone, the sound of a poker game emanating from her earphones, oblivious to Xu Ke’s presence.

Xu Ke knocked on the desk with his knuckles.

"What is it?" The woman rudely removed her earphones and shouted impatiently at Xu Ke.

Xu Ke stepped back, his face showing surprise as if he hadn’t expected the hotel’s receptionist to be so hostile.

"A standard room, please," Xu Ke straightened his collar and adjusted his hair before speaking.

"Only a standard room is available, so why the rush? I thought it was something remarkable, but it’s just a standard room, rushing like someone’s pushing for reincarnation. Rush, rush, rush! Simply annoying," the receptionist’s disdainful and impatient look stunned Xu Ke, who had never encountered such arrogant front desk service. Besides geographical factors, the receptionist’s attitude was a leading cause of the hotel’s emptiness.

Before Xu Ke could utter another word, the receptionist began grumbling while processing his registration rapidly, thankfully, despite her nasty comments. In no time, she tossed the key across the counter.

"Second floor, up the stairs, turn left. Your room is the last one down the hall," she said, casting another unfriendly glance at Xu Ke before immersing herself back into her game.

As Xu Ke headed up the stairs, he hesitated, glancing back at the receptionist, who snapped, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. Can’t you see I’m busy?!" She slammed her phone on the counter, her face clouded with annoyance.

"Nothing, I just wanted to say you might lose this round," Xu Ke raised an eyebrow, quickly departing the scene. Shortly after Xu Ke disappeared up the stairs, the game-over sound echoed from the woman’s phone; indeed, she lost.

The room Xu Ke was given had poor lighting, with a damp odor floating in the air, enhanced by the cheap air freshener prevalent in the hotel. Opening the closet revealed moisture condensation inside.

Xu Ke gritted his teeth, trying to tolerate it, but eventually he couldn’t help leaving the room.

"I need a room change; my room is unlivable. Poor lighting is one thing, but it’s moldy and damp as well," Xu Ke complained, frowning with displeasure.

"Do you not realize where you are? This is the south; it’s normal here to be humid. If you dislike the humidity, why did you come to the south? Since you’re here, don’t fuss over it. All our rooms are the same; if you can’t accept it, feel free to stay elsewhere. It’s no concern of mine," sneered the receptionist, dismissively.