Chapter 16 Chapter 015: A Monthly Salary of Ten Thousand

Such an expression made Li Ruo grit her teeth inwardly. This bastard, he hadn't adjusted his own attitude at all—not a shred of the awareness required of a bodyguard. Li Ruo bit her lip, a cold smile curving on her lips as she thought to herself, Hmph, fine, if that's how you want to play it, don't blame me for being ruthless. At the very least, I should let you know what it means to be a good subordinate, shouldn't I? She parted her lips slightly, "Here's the deal: Jinxing Decoration Company owes our company a sum. If you can recover it within seven days, you'll have passed the test!"

"That simple?" Ye Chen was taken aback, frowning. "Isn't collecting payments usually the business department's job? Why send a bodyguard to do it?"

"Hmph, if you can't even handle such a small matter, what use do I have for you?" Li Ruo pressed her lips together, arms crossed, looking both imperious and adorable. Ye Chen found himself a little dazed watching her, and hurriedly bit his tongue, afraid of falling under this little enchantress's spell. Li Ruo shot him a glare, "Hey, well? If you can't, I can always find someone more capable."

"Easy!" Ye Chen nodded without hesitation. "I accept!"

"Really?" Li Ruo was surprised, a smile tugging at her lips. "You can't go back on your word!"

"Never!" Ye Chen thumped his chest. "Forget seven days, I’ll get it done in three!"

"Braggart!" Li Ruo couldn't help but pout, revealing a girlish innocence. It made her appear even more adorable, but the moment was fleeting. Realizing her expression was amiss, she immediately donned her icy, aloof face. "Enough, here’s the address and contact info. Go get it done!"

Ye Chen accepted the business card, glancing at it—Jinxing Decoration Company, General Manager: Zhang Bold. He quickly slipped it into his pocket and left without another word. These two women were a bit odd, and as he left, he glanced back at them with suspicion, thinking to himself: Clearly a pair of lesbians—best to steer clear.

After work, he returned home.

Feng Zhixiao was sprawled on his sofa like a lord, sipping chilled beer and munching on spicy peanuts, a look of pure satisfaction as he watched TV. As soon as Ye Chen entered, Feng Zhixiao sprang up from the sofa.

"Chen, you're back from work?" Feng Zhixiao grinned at him.

"The hell, how did you get in here?" Ye Chen stared in disbelief—the place was a mess from this rascal's visit.

"Heh, coming to your place is just like being at home, right?" Feng Zhixiao laughed sheepishly, scratching at his wild, bird's-nest hair, then quickly changed the subject, "Chen, I came here today to thank you!"

"Thank me for what?" Ye Chen was puzzled.

"For getting me out of there, remember?" Feng Zhixiao grinned.

"Come off it, you were just taking the fall for me," Ye Chen said, taking off his uniform, tossing it on the sofa, and changing into casual clothes.

"Chen, that policewoman was really pretty. When did you win her over? How come I never heard about it?" Feng Zhixiao had been thinking about Zhang Yantong ever since he first saw her—he was stunned by her beauty in uniform, which only made her more alluring. The ultimate dream of any street punk? To pin down a beautiful policewoman and have his way.

Now in Jianghuai City, the local punks loved to indulge in uniform fantasies at the red-light districts. It was an open secret that policewomen were the most popular, so much so that during anti-prostitution raids, people joked about police arresting other police, sparking much gossip among the locals.

"Cut the crap!" Ye Chen shot him a look. "Have you eaten?"

"Not yet. The money I borrowed last time all went to the brothers for expenses," Feng Zhixiao replied, scratching his head.

"Alright, come eat with me downstairs," Ye Chen said simply, giving him a look. For all Feng Zhixiao’s faults, he was loyal—otherwise, he wouldn’t have ended up beset by local thugs at the gates of the complex, all because he stood up for a younger friend.

"Great!" Feng Zhixiao beamed.

They found a food stall at the entrance to the complex. Street food was tasty, but not always clean; at least the food stalls were a bit more hygienic. They ordered some cold dishes, a couple of hot ones, and a large bowl of rice. And, of course, several bottles of beer. A meal without alcohol was no meal at all for men.

"Chen, let me toast you!" Feng Zhixiao raised his glass.

"Cheers!" Ye Chen tipped his head back and drank.

"So, how’s the bodyguard thing going?" Feng Zhixiao asked with curiosity. "Is it really ten grand a month?"

"Forget that crap!" Ye Chen shot him a look. "Even a bodyguard has to go through a probation period. Damn, why don’t women do probation when they get married?"

"Probation? How does that work?" Feng Zhixiao was surprised, then grinned. "Need my help?"

"What’s this Jinxing Decoration Company, anyway?" Ye Chen asked, picking up some food.

"No way!" Feng Zhixiao jumped up from his stool in shock. "You... Chen, don’t tell me you’ve stirred up that hornet’s nest?"

His outburst drew stares from everyone at the food stall, as if they were watching an idiot.

"Uh... what’s the deal?" Ye Chen quickly set down his chopsticks.

Was this really not as simple as it seemed? Ye Chen grabbed Feng Zhixiao’s arm and pulled him back into his seat, urging him to explain. After all, he was still a newcomer to Jianghuai City, knowing almost nothing about the place—his only clear memory was of that lonely orphanage near the university district. For some reason, that orphanage was the only thing he could clearly recall; the rest was a blank.

"Chen, are you really clueless or just pretending?" Feng Zhixiao dropped his chopsticks and stared into Ye Chen’s eyes. "Jinxing Decoration Company is the top dog in the university district—Zhang Bold’s front company!"

"And who’s Zhang Bold?" Ye Chen was confused.

"Man, that’s a long story," Feng Zhixiao said, swallowing. "He’s notorious around the university district, up to every kind of evil..."

From Feng Zhixiao’s account, Ye Chen finally realized that Jinxing Decoration Company was just a front for the local mafia. Zhang Bold was the boss of the university district, a man of no small reputation in Jianghuai City’s underworld. Besides the decoration company, he also owned a real estate development firm, gambling dens, and more. Rumor had it that he amassed a fortune at a young age, controlled massive assets, and kept a gang of enforcers—ruthless, wolfish men.

Hearing this, Ye Chen felt as if he’d been duped. He’d been so confident in Li Ruo’s office, pounding his chest and promising to recover the debt in three days. Now, after Feng Zhixiao’s words, he felt as though he’d plunged into an icy abyss.

"Damn it, that vixen set me up!" Ye Chen gripped his beer glass fiercely, downing a mouthful of bitter liquor.

"Chen, you’re in real trouble this time," Feng Zhixiao said with genuine concern. "Maybe you should just quit being a bodyguard. Sure, the pay’s good, but you’re just a meat shield. What’s the use of money if you don’t live to spend it?"

"No way!" Ye Chen laughed coldly. "I hate being played most of all. If she wants to play, then I’ll play along to the end!"

"So what’s your plan?" Feng Zhixiao smacked his lips.

"Collect the debt, and show her the cost of messing with me. I’ll throw the money in her face and then quit in style!" Ye Chen’s tone was icy, picturing Li Ruo’s astonished face—there was a certain pleasure in that. He sneered inwardly.

"Good!" Feng Zhixiao slapped the table, raising his glass with a grin. "You’re every bit the man I admire. Cheers!"

Cheers!

They clinked their glasses, drank heartily, ate their fill, and each went home to sleep.

The next morning, Ye Chen rose early, as was his habit—years of discipline. He jogged a few laps around the complex, took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and drove his little Alto straight to the university district.

The university district was a bustling commercial hub in Jianghuai City.

There, every kind of merchandise was available—low-end wholesale markets, upscale fashion towers, the whole area divided into three distinct tiers, catering to every class and crowd.

Ye Chen maneuvered his little Alto through the throngs of people, glancing at the towering building of the university district—eighteen stories high, with a wholesale market on the lower floors and luxury boutiques above. The dazzling array of goods attracted not only ordinary citizens, but students from all the surrounding universities as well.

"Handsome, interested in wholesale? Our underwear is guaranteed cheap—great deals!"

"Hey there, want to buy women’s underwear in bulk? Cheap, want some? Don’t rush off—if you want an even better deal, we sell by the pound!"

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