Bab 11: Mission To Protect
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The name set off alarm bells in Xiao Luo's head.
Chu Yunxiong was one of Jiangcheng's most prominent business tycoons. He started the company from scratch and slogged away for 20 years, establishing Chongshan House in the process. He now owned half the restaurants in Jiangcheng as well as outlets in hundreds of cities nationwide. He had indeed built a food and beverage empire.
Perplexed and doubtful, Xiao Luo hadn't the faintest idea when or how he became intertwined with Chu Yunxiong.
"Mr. Xiao, Mr. Chu is waiting for you!" chuckled Ge Zhongtian.
Looking in the direction in which Ge Zhongtian was pointing, Xiao Luo's eyes landed on a black Rolls Royce parked at the side of the road.
Since Mr. Chu had posted bail for him, Xiao Luo had to give him face. Besides, he also wanted to know why Chu Yunxiong was helping him.
After saying goodbye to Ge Zhongtian, Xiao Luo walked toward the Rolls and glanced at the back seat. What he saw got his attention! He gasped in surprise. "It's you?"
It wasn't just anyone. It was the middle-aged guy he had eaten with last night.
Because it was so dark, and there was some distance between them, Xiao Luo didn't realize that the middle-aged man was Chu Yunxiong. Moreover, it never occurred to him that someone of such stature would be eating at a street food stall just like him.
Dressed in a chic suit, and sitting calm and collected on the black leather seat, Chu Yunxiong was full of vigor, despite the ample streaks of white in his hair. He chirped to Xiao Luo, "Get in, young man! Let's talk!"
Though his smile was kind and warm, his comportment exuded dignity and grace.
Xiao Luo realized this was a rare opportunity, so he opened the door and got in the car.
"Team Leader Gu, that car seems to belong to Chu Yunxiong, the boss of Chongshan House."
On the second floor of the police station, Officer Xiao Wang was watching the departing Rolls Royce in astonishment. "Who is this Xiao Luo, really? He got Chu Yunxiong to post bail for him?"
Gu Qianlin was equally astounded: One was a tycoon at the top of the food chain; the other, a little nobody at the bottom. There wouldn't have been an intersection between the two of them--or would there? What what was up with that?
Like Xiao Luo last night, she didn't recognize Chu Yunxiong and took him to be a passer-by.
She was now very interested in Xiao Luo and determined to resolve all the mysteries surrounding him, eventually.
******
Ten minutes later, the Rolls Royce pulled up in front of a café next to the mall. They walked past the gigantic water fountain, into the café.
"Boss!"
The service staff and the manager were lined in two rows, respectfully welcoming Chu Yunxiong's arrival.
Xiao Luo surmised that this café had either already been booked or was perhaps owned by Chu Yunxiong.
The two of them settled at a secluded corner on the second floor. The room was surrounded by large potted plants and was incredibly serene and peaceful. Meanwhile, Chu Yunxiong's two bodyguards, Leng Zuo and Leng You, remained alert and watchful of the surroundings.
"You must be hungry after spending the night at the police station," said Chu Yunxiong, with a smile on his face.
" Well, a little!" Xiao Luo replied modestly with wide eyes.
With a snap of Chu Yunxiong's fingers, the waitstaff began serving them plates of rolls, desserts, congee, corn soup, steak, and more. The table was soon filled with a mouth-watering assortment of aromatic dishes.
Xiao Luo was not all pretentious. He was indeed hungry, so he dug into the sumptuous spread.
Chu Yunxiong admired his enthusiasm. "It is, indeed, good to be young. You can eat whatever you want. But if old men like me satisfy our cravings on a whim, it would be detrimental to our health."
He then leisurely took a sip of the corn soup.
"Mr. Chu, allow me to get to the point if I may. I don't think you bailed me out just to treat me to breakfast." Xiao Luo took a bite of the roll and spoke as he chewed.
"Haha…okay, you are indeed a straight shooter!"
Chu Yunxiong had a feeling that they would get along well. With a wave of his hand, he summoned Leng You, who brought him a copy of a contract and placed it in front of Xiao Luo.
"What's this?" Xiao Luo was mildly alarmed.
"Last night, I watched how you dealt with those gangsters and hooligans. You were not merely courageous. You were also a highly-skilled fighter. You single-handedly took down more than 20 heavily armed thugs. I have nothing but admiration for you. Hence, I'd like to hire you to protect someone for three months. You will be paid two million for your trouble."
Two million to protect a person for three months?
No matter how composed Xiao Luo was, it still took him a while to fully absorb what he had just heard. He scrutinized the contract; it spelled out the agreement clearly in black and white, proving that Chu Yunxiong meant every word he had just said.
"Protect who?"
"My daughter."
"Your daughter?"
Xiao Luo looked up in bewilderment. "Mr. Chu, you have too high an opinion of me. Are you sure you want to entrust your daughter's safety to someone you've known less than a day?"
"I wouldn't be hiring you if I doubted your abilities. You managed to save a kid who was wholly unrelated to you. I have faith in your character and capabilities." Naturally, he had already conducted a background check on Xiao Luo.
"Even so, why don't you have them to do it?"
Xiao Luo gestured at Leng Zuo and Leng You. "As professionally trained bodyguards, surely they're better qualified than I am."
Chu Yunxiong set down the glass in his hand, shaking his head. "It's because they're bodyguards. That's why they're not suitable."
This puzzled Xiao Luo. Bodyguards specialize in protecting people; why would Chu Yunxiong say that they weren't suitable?
"The problem lies with my daughter, Chu Yue. She doesn't like being followed by bodyguards and would devise all sorts of tricks and methods to keep them away. This has caused me many a headache," Chu Yunxiong let out a long sigh.
Xiao Luo nodded empathetically. A young lady born to a wealthy family would be used to getting her way.
He then asked, "Where does Mr. Chu's daughter work?"
"She's still a student, currently enrolled at Huaye University."
"A student?"
This surprised Xiao Luo, but he managed to regain his composure quickly. "Mr. Chu wants me to act as a student to protect her in secret?"
"Exactly. Only by doing this would she not keep her guard up."
Xiao Luo didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I must tell you; I'm already 26 years old."
He was implying that it was hardly appropriate for him to pass or act as a student.
"Age isn't important. What matters is that you're still very young, so no one on campus will suspect you."
Chu Yunxiong laughed. "This is also the main reason I set my eyes on you. My bodyguards, no matter how skilled, would hardly pass as students…"
His words trailed off as he shook his head. It was clear what he was getting at, even if he hadn't said another word.
Xiao Luo nodded in acknowledgment.
" Well, if you're agreeable, shall we sign the contract now?" Chu Yunxiong was also a straight shooter.
"I have one last question."
"Go ahead."
" Why three months?" Xiao Luo asked.
Chu Yunxiong tapped the table lightly with his fingers. "I have confidence that I'd be able to make my competitor go out of business within three months. When that happens, he won't have any extra resources to hire thugs to go after my daughter and me, and I would also be able to devote more time to keeping her company…"
Bab 12: A Female Dominated Major
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Xiao Luo agreed to Chu Yunxiong's request when he had no more questions. Putting aside the fact that he would be paid 140 grand for this transaction, more importantly, the skills he had obtained from the system - the Constitution of: King of Mercenaries - seemed more than sufficient to ensure Chuye's safety.
Moreover, he needed the money. Whether it was for his family or his future career, this first bucket of gold was a necessity.
After he signed the contract, 70 grand was immediately deposited into his bank account. This was the first payment. The balance would be paid after he had completed the task of protecting Chuyue.
Xiao Luo felt immeasurably self-satisfied and went to the bank to transfer all the money to his father's account. Then he called home to share the good news. "Dad, I transferred some money to your account. Check it when you're free. "
Silence. Suddenly his mom's voice rang out.
"Son, your dad is busy. He didn't take his mobile with him. You just said that you transferred some money? How much?"
Xiao Luo was not surprised. A farm was a huge responsibility and had to be adequately managed. Of course, Dad was busy. He laughed and said, "Seventy thousand. Get Dad to check it out at the credit union when he's free."
"Seventy thousand? Son, why do you have so much money, you.... did you rob a bank?" his mom exclaimed in surprise.
Xiao Luo was lost for words. "No, I didn't. I won the lottery."
"Won the lottery? When did that happen?" Mom smiled.
"A few days ago. I redeemed the prize today. By the way, don't make this public knowledge; others will be jealous."
"I know. Your mother's not stupid." Excitement and joy were shining through her words.
"He Ying, who called?" A man's steady voice came through the phone.
Xiao Luo knew it was his father's voice. He was probably returning from his farm chores.
"It's our son. He bought a lottery ticket and won the jackpot. He just transferred us 70,000 dollars. Hurry, go to the credit union above the dike. It's so much money and can't be swallowed up by the credit union," said Mom, burning with anxiety.
"Look how happy you are! Give me that phone. I want to say something to Xiao Luo."
Mom passed the phone to Dad. An old-fashioned voice said, "Xiao Luo, is it true what your mom said? You bought a lottery ticket and hit the jackpot?"
"Dad, you'll know when you check your account at the bank." Xiao Luo chuckled gleefully.
"Even if you won 70,000, why remit the money? Isn't it good to keep it and use it for your career? Men should have a career and work hard in it forever."
"Dad, I see you and Mom working hard. I also know that you owe the bank a loan of 57,000 dollars. This money can help alleviate your burden. I'm still young. I can slowly build my career."
"Yes, that's right. Our son is dutiful, so why are you reprimanding him? Can't you praise his good points?" Mom said in Xiao Luo's defense.
Dad's tone changed. "You're a woman. What do you know? You're short-sighted, getting all smug because of 70,000 dollars. This will rub off on your son, and he'll become easily satisfied. Men should not feel satisfied but should be as greedy as a wolf. When he has earned a 100,000, he should have the desire to make a million, and when he's made a million, he should want to make 10 million. Do you understand? "
"Okay, okay. You're right. Everything you're saying makes sense. I'm short-sighted." Mom didn't want to argue.
Feeling a bit awkward, Xiao Luo raised his brows and said, "Dad, I still have something left. Both of you need to take care of yourselves. Say hello to Grandpa and Grandma for me."
He finished talking and quickly hung up the phone; he was in no mood to listen to his dad's nagging.
Xiao Luo exhaled a long breath. Calling home always filled him with trepidation. He couldn't remember getting any decent praise from his dad while growing up. Like the time he was among the quota of students with the second-highest batch of results in the college entrance exam. And what was Dad's reaction? "Don't be full of yourself. This achievement is nothing."
******
Early the next day, Xiao Luo dressed like a poser. Oh no, it should be said that he was dressed smartly and looked energetic. He brought his luggage along and took the subway to Huaye University.
Since he was entrusted with a task, he vowed to do his best to do it to the best of his ability. What's more, he was being paid royally for his services and was very enthusiastic about this mission.
Of course, Chu Yunxiong had also made it clear that in addition to him, there were a few other professionally trained bodyguards on campus who were covertly protecting Chu Yue. Arranging for him to go into the school was just an additional layer of security for Chu Yue.
He changed subway lines several times and traveled more than two hours. At last, he took a taxi for another fifteen minutes before finally arriving at the gates of Huaye University.
As a world-class academy, even the front gates of the university gave off an air of majesty. Standing below them made one feel very small.
Xiao Luo took out his mobile phone and dialed the number Chu Yunxiong had given him.
Not long after, a woman wearing glasses for myopia and who looked to be around the same age as him came out. She was wearing a short pink off-shoulder dress, the bow cinching at her tiny waist sentimental and cute. Layers of lace embellished the beautiful dress, complementing the wavy hair draped gracefully over her shoulders.
She was not exactly pretty. The acne scars that marred her face were the main detracting factor. Other than that, her facial features were quite well-proportioned and lovely.
"Xiao Luo?" The woman approached Xiao Luo and asked out loud.
Xiao Luo nodded, "Yes, that's me."
"We just spoke on the phone. I am Qin Nanyu, a counselor with the English Department." The woman introduced herself effusively.
"Hello, Teacher Qin!" Xiao Luo smiled politely.
A counselor wasn't considered a real teacher; he or she could only be regarded as a nanny in the life of college students. When Xiao Luo addressed her as "Teacher," Qin Nanyu's smile immediately brightened; she also became more enthusiastic. "Let's go. I'll take you over so you can meet your classmates. It's almost time for class to end so everyone will be present."
"Thanks for your hard work!" Xiao Luo smiled lightly.
He followed Qin Nanyu as they walked on the long main road. They passed by a beautiful artificial lake before going through a rockery and finally a teaching block. It just so happened that the bell was ringing, signaling the end of class. University students brimming with energy and vitality walked out of the classroom in groups. The entire building became noisy.
"Wait here; you can come in when I call for you!"
Qin Nanyu urged Xiao Luo and then entered the classroom in front of them.
She clapped her palms several times to signal the English language sophomores who were preparing to leave to sit down again, "Students, don't leave yet. I'll be introducing your new classmate."
"New classmate? Counselor, are you sure you spoke correctly? This is a university, not a middle or high school. How could a transfer student be coming in halfway through the term?"
"An Huanhuan, you don't understand. If one's course credits in the previous year are seriously lacking, a student would have to repeat a year. It doesn't only include the transfer students that you've mentioned."
"Yes, there is also another situation where this is applicable: those who change majors!"
Qin Nanyu kept them in suspense. "Don't make blind guesses. It's better to let the student introduce himself."
After speaking, she threw a look at Xiao Luo, who was at the door of the classroom.
After getting the signal, Xiao Luo took a deep breath and stepped in. When he stood at the podium and looked down, he was dumbfounded. The class was all girls. Only two boys sat in the most inconspicuous corner of the back row.
He had long heard that majors like English Language were female-dominated with a few males, but this was too crazy. Only two boys?
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