My Life as an Awoken

Chapter 121: Second Offer [2]

Michael Cavendish continued, "The Albion Consortium’s offer is a property worth £10,000,000. A luxury car of your choice, a private driver, a private chef.

I suppose I should simplify, let us just say a full staff. That includes a security team, but that goes without saying. I am sure that every offer will come with that even if they do not explicitly say so.

The actual pay is £1,000,000 a year.

The highlight of the offer is the noble title they will present to you. The noble title is not just a title, you will receive a yearly stipend. The amount depends on the level of your title. The title they are offering to you is a Baronship.

While it is the lowest noble title, it is still a full-fledged noble title. A Baron is set to receive £100,000 a year. That is for life and can be passed down to your heir. It is rare for a noble title to be reclaimed. The only reason for one to be reclaimed is for causing extreme shame and dishonor for the country.

Anyway, the consortium’s only request is that you advance technology to the best of your ability. The upper management is very interested in your advancements in AI and would like that to be your priority.

So, was the offer to your satisfaction?"

I replied, "Honestly, it was underwhelming. The first people to approach me with an offer, offered basically ten times what you did."

"Wow, they certainly are generous. I doubt I could convince the consortium to offer something that nice. The consortium has quite a few other prospects they are looking to recruit with more utilitarian abilities. However, personally, I would like to remain on friendly terms with someone with capabilities like yours. Would that be fine?"

"Sure, absolutely. I personally liked the noble title part of the offer, but it isn’t enough compensation for me."

"That is understandable. You have to do what is best for yourself."

With the offer falling through, Michael gave me his card, and wished me well.

Then the blonde haired blue eyed man got back into his car, and they all pulled away.

Since all of the business was done I walked back to Xue Qing’s car. Back inside she asked, "Well? How was the offer?"

"It was basically a tenth of what your family offered."

"That sounds about right. Most other places have different concerns. Xia is pretty unique in its structure."

"U-huh. Are you ready to hike?"

"As ready as I can be. I didn’t really pack clothes for this."

I only now noticed, she was wearing casual clothes. She usually wears designer looking clothes, but today they looked starkly different to what she usually wore.

I asked, "Did you actually pack those clothes? They don’t look like something you would have."

"No, I didn’t pack them. I had the body guard who went to the supermarket pick some up while he was out."

"That would explain it. That’s why you look like a bargain bin mannequin."

"Hahaha, I guess I’m walking down the aisle, instead of the runway."

"Ha, I guess so. Grab some chips while you’re there."

"Hahaha."

We laughed while making our way to the start of the hiking trail.

We drove down the highway, around the roundabout continuing down the highway. Then we took a left down a side street. It was a long winding road that led deeper into the surrounding forest.

The road just kept going until we reached a small parking lot and public restroom that was labeled as a park.

We got out of the car and read the sign at the entrance to the trail.

It read, "3 minute walk to overlook."

...We stood there for a moment, then Xue Qing said, "So, a tough hike? Huh. Do you want me to go get your walker?"

My lips were pressed into a line as I said, "Must be a new park. I bet that long winding road was the hike. And I won’t ever have a walker. I’ll get myself a pair of bionic legs."

"Bionic legs? To hop around? Whatever you say Kormit. Just don’t Kormit crimes against humanity."

"Ha, that’s such an old joke. Shall we?"

"Sure."

We walked down the short easy trail. The only tall trees in the area are pine trees, so even in winter they are green.

We came across the final stretch which was a downward staircase. At the bottom we saw a landing as well as a pavilion that was standing on stilts.

Then, to the left we saw it. The rock formation we came to see was jutting out of the sea. In all of its glory. It was magnificent. The formation looked like an M with an extra hump, three arches rising out of the sea.

Xue Qing said, "While it wasn’t a challenge it is a beautiful sight."

"I agree." I was at a loss for words. While it’s not as amazing as it may seem, it is cool. It’s the kind of thing that does it for some and bores the others.

We stood there and looked at it for a while before leaving in search of a more challenging hike.

And we found one. There is a hiking trail on the nearby mountain that leads to an observation deck. It also passes by a historic thatched house.

The top offered a panoramic view of the peninsula, which in the golden setting sun was a view of a lifetime.

The walk back down the mountain was another challenge, since we had to walk it in the dark.

...

Back at my place we got a hearty dinner and watched some TV while lazing on the couch. That night I slept well.

I had a dream, I don’t remember what it was about, but it was a happy dream. I feel like it was filled with laughter and unprecedented joy.

The kind of feeling you had when getting presents from Santa as a child.