C16 The Trap

Although fully aware that a career as a bodyguard would inevitably involve a series of challenges, Zhang Xiaodong couldn't help but feel a touch of annoyance.

Since making the decision to return to his hometown, Xiaodong had grown increasingly weary of combat. As a result, he made it a point to dispatch his opponents quickly and efficiently, without dragging out the fights.

"Hey!" bellowed the burly man from the northeast, charging at Xiaodong. To protect his livelihood, he knew he had to eliminate any competition, to crush his rivals completely—this was his unyielding resolve.

As the battle commenced, the man showed no mercy, his massive fist hurtling towards Xiaodong with ferocious speed.

"You're lacking in strength, but you've got a decent shout. You should try out for a talent show instead of working as a bodyguard," Xiaodong quipped, effortlessly catching the man's punch, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

The big man had intended to dominate the fight from the outset with his aggressive, thunderous approach, leaving no opportunity for Xiaodong to counter.

"Too slow. You've turned military boxing into an old lady's dance," Xiaodong taunted, sending the man flying with a swift high whip kick, executed so crisply that it left no chance for a reaction.

With just that one precise kick, the big man was down on the ground, unable to rise.

Silence fell over the room as everyone processed what had just happened. They were all seasoned enough to have witnessed the big man's combat prowess. Normally, the security team wouldn't dare engage him up close, fearing a beating. But Xiaodong's performance had surpassed all expectations, catching them off guard.

"Looks like there are quite a few of you left, probably all bodyguards. I'm not singling anyone out, but let's be honest—everyone here is subpar. Let's wrap this up; I need to get back and cook for my mother," Xiaodong declared, his thoughts drifting to his tenant, a mix of amusement and mischief in his mind.

From the start, Xiaodong had nearly wrung Nalan Feifei dry. The high-intensity extortion had taken its toll on him, and he felt a pang of guilt. Deciding to be a bit kinder to his tenant, Xiaodong figured it would pave the way for future opportunities.

The atmosphere had become tense and still. Deep within, Mu Shenqing was filled with shock, yet her anger only intensified. She had hoped to see this young punk take a beating until he was bruised and swollen, but that spectacle was no longer on the cards. Worse still, the kid's smug demeanor was unbearably irritating.

"Zi Feng, take some people and deal with this punk properly. Don't hold back—I can cover the medical bills," Mu Shenqing ordered, taking a deep breath and feeling a sense of divine favor.

Having lost something incredibly valuable and been shamelessly extorted, the incident cast a long shadow over Mu Shenqing's heart. After weighing everything up, she resolved to give this troublemaker a lesson he wouldn't forget, to ensure he understood that karma was inevitable, regardless of timing.

"Kid, I acknowledge your strength, but your arrogance is over the top. Everyone, attack together!" she declared.

Zi Feng stepped forward, her curiosity piqued, wondering what had caused her close friend's sudden surge of rage. Although their relationship was nominally hierarchical, Zi Feng was aware that Mu Shenqing never really treated her as an outsider.

"Let's do this. Once this is settled, I'm heading home," Zhang Xiaodong said, maintaining his nonchalant stance, looking like he was practically begging for a beating.

In the eyes of the bodyguards, he was the epitome of annoyance. Unwittingly, Zhang Xiaodong had managed to amass a significant amount of animosity.

It's a fact that some people seem to have a death wish... Even when confronting a woman he had once been intimate with, Zhang Xiaodong was unapologetically reckless.

"Go!" Zi Feng commanded, feeling the pressure to quickly resolve the situation before it spiraled out of control.

Led by Zi Feng, the group swiftly encircled Zhang Xiaodong. With the odds heavily in their favor, Zi Feng was the first to strike, her specialized gloves glinting with a subtle chill.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaodong found himself the focus of everyone's aggression.

"Damn, if I don't give you all a workout, I'll almost forget how strong I am," he muttered, stretching lazily before charging into the fray.

Zhang Xiaodong craved a simple life, yet he detested complications. To him, job interviews and career opportunities were trivial matters.

During the interview process, Zhang Xiaodong refused to be slighted. As long as things went his way, he didn't care whether he got the job or not.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After a succession of noises, Zhang Xiaodong stood still, surveying the disheveled crowd before him, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Is that the best you can do? How disappointing."

Zhang Xiaodong glanced at the surrounding people, then turned his attention to Mu Shenqing, who was seated on a chair, and made a gesture of resignation.

At that moment, Zhang Xiaodong felt that the woman before him seemed vaguely familiar, yet he couldn't quite place where he had seen her before.

"You're quite impressive. Here's the contract. Sign it, and you'll be our company's bodyguard."

Mu Shenqing inhaled deeply, struggling to quell the turmoil within her, and then presented a contract.

At that moment, Mu Shenqing felt her heart might leap out of her chest, yet she maintained a facade of composure. It was the only way to keep a firm grip on the situation.

"Sounds good," Zhang Xiaodong quickly signed his name. As he looked up, he was suddenly rooted to the spot.

In a flash of realization, Zhang Xiaodong remembered the encounter at the bar just days before, and he was completely stunned.

"Cough... Is it too late for me to have second thoughts now?"

Zhang Xiaodong faced Mu Shenqing, whose expression was icy, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.

He had thought his agility had secured him a job, but now he realized the position might not be so straightforward. The woman's piercing gaze made it clear she recognized him.

"What do you think? Contract law binds everyone, not just you. It applies to me as well."

Mu Shenqing's smile was tinged with a chilling edge. For a moment, Zhang Xiaodong felt an urge to flee, but he managed to steady himself.

"You're not planning to assault me and then kill me, are you?"

Zhang Xiaodong swallowed hard, at a loss for what to do next.

Encountering an old adversary while job hunting was an incredibly unlikely scenario, yet here it was happening to him. Zhang Xiaodong was unsure how to proceed.

"Be quiet!"

Mu Shenqing's face was fierce as she quickly covered Zhang Xiaodong's mouth.

Without realizing it, Zhang Xiaodong stuck out his tongue.