C17 Three Rules

Despite Mu Shenqing's formidable power, her undefeated track record in the business arena, and her collection of impressive titles, she remained, at her core, a woman.

When her delicate fingers were assaulted, Mu Shenqing's instinct was to lash out at Zhang Xiaodong with a fierce slap. But considerations of her reputation and personal feelings forced her to restrain herself, and she dismissed her subordinates from the room.

"You are the most shameless man I've ever encountered," Mu Shenqing declared, meticulously wiping her fingers with a tissue, her face contorted with unspeakable loathing and contempt as she glared at Zhang Xiaodong.

Yet, logic reminded her that the infuriating man before her possessed formidable strength, cautioning her against any hasty actions.

"Thank you," Zhang Xiaodong responded, shrugging with a sense of resignation. He felt a twinge of regret for his instinctively shameless behavior, but he was ready to face the consequences. Thus, he owned up to his actions.

His nonchalant demeanor only served to amplify Mu Shenqing's perception of him as outrageously arrogant and brazen.

"Thank you? You think I'm complimenting you?" Mu Shenqing said, her hand to her forehead, her expression one of utter disbelief.

Suddenly recalling that her hand had been licked, she recoiled in disgust, hastily reaching for a tissue to wipe her hair...

"Miss, there's no need for such theatrics. I've seen and touched your body before..." Zhang Xiaodong said, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness, resigned to her scorn.

But catching sight of Mu Shenqing's lethal stare, he wisely opted for silence. He knew all too well that crossing a woman seldom led to a favorable outcome; past experiences had taught him that lesson painfully. Today, it seemed, even engaging with this particular woman was proving to be quite the challenge.

"The incident between us was a misunderstanding, a mistake. As a businessman, I can forgive mistakes, but I will not tolerate a repeat occurrence," Mu Shenqing stated, inhaling deeply before rising to her feet.

After much internal conflict, she resolved that this man needed to be taught a proper lesson. Most importantly, Mu Shenqing recognized his strength as an asset; he could very well serve as her personal bodyguard.

"Do you really need this job?"

Mu Shenqing scrutinized Zhang Xiaodong's resume with growing disdain. The document was sparse, listing only his name and birth date, followed by a woefully inadequate educational background and work experience. He had only reached junior high school, and his job history consisted of years spent washing cars for others.

"It's not the whole story. I'm just trying to make some money and live a stable life. I have a family to support, and, well, a wife as well. I'm a married man," Zhang Xiaodong said earnestly, pondering whether he should take on the job before him.

Taking this job would mean constantly facing scrutiny. Despite Mu Shenqing's apparent generosity, who could remain indifferent about their first time? Zhang Xiaodong felt a twinge of reluctance at the thought of walking away, especially since he was under contract.

"Are you afraid I'll cling to you?" Mu Shenqing asked, her face a picture of incredulity. She could hardly believe she was dealing with someone so shameless.

Though Mu Shenqing longed for a stronger man to protect her, she had never considered someone with such dismal educational and professional backgrounds as a potential partner. In her eyes, the ideal man would at least share her core values.

A man lacking in education and refinement would struggle to catch Mu Shenqing's Magic Eye.

"No, I just meant to say that the issue isn't of great importance to me," Zhang Xiaodong clarified, choosing his words carefully, only to see Mu Shenqing's expression darken instantly.

"From now on, keep quiet. I'll think about not taking you to court. I won't use the contract to bully you or cause you any trouble," Mu Shenqing declared, taking a deep breath and reclining in her chair to ease her discomfort at the prospect of being infuriated by the man before her.

The CEO of Mu's Group, her first night trivialized, could become the laughingstock of Zhonghai City if word got out. Thus, Mu Shenqing resolved to keep Zhang Xiaodong close and under her watchful eye.

"Fine by me," Zhang Xiaodong replied with a smile, settling onto the sofa to sip his tea, betraying no sign of unease.

Drinking tea is an art form steeped in tradition, especially when it involves the intricacies of the tea ceremony, which demands careful consideration. Those well-versed in the ceremony adhere to a strict etiquette while drinking tea.

In that instant, Mu Shenqing found herself momentarily lost in thought. The man before her, who seemed nothing more than a ruffian, was surprisingly authentic in his tea-drinking manner.

"Damn, that's hot."

Zhang Xiaodong took a sip of tea and immediately spat it out into the nearby trash can. His manner was unrefined, almost as if he were desecrating something sacred.

"Okay, let's get down to business. For the foreseeable future, I expect no grand gestures from you," Mu Shenqing said, barely containing her irritation, yet powerless to do anything about Zhang Xiaodong.

He was like Cheng Yaojin, emerging unexpectedly and proving to be a formidable character to deal with.

"You'll stay on at the company, and I'll pay you a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan. There are three conditions you must agree to. First, you must keep our past dealings confidential. Second, you must ensure my safety. Third, you must be available whenever I call."

Mu Shenqing laid out her terms in one go, not wanting to be interrupted and risk further annoyance.

"Can we modify the third condition? I tend to be quite laid-back," Zhang Xiaodong said with a smile, finding the stipulations rather straightforward.

Earning 20,000 yuan a month seemed fair for a bodyguard's wage, even by international standards.

"No, you're well aware of a bodyguard's responsibilities, so there's no room for negotiation. Now, please leave. I don't want to see you for a while. And put down that cup; I bought it for myself!" Mu Shenqing exploded with rage, hurling the documents she was holding at Zhang Xiaodong, who was still sipping tea.

That cherished cup was a birthday purchase, seldom used by Mu Shenqing, and now Zhang Xiaodong had the audacity to use it for his tea...

"Alright, alright, no need to get worked up. I can't bear to see a woman distressed. I'm leaving right now."

Zhang Xiaodong beat a hasty retreat, only allowing himself to breathe a sigh of relief once he was out of the room. Behaving shamelessly with a woman he had been intimate with was quite a disgraceful act. Nevertheless, Zhang Xiaodong had no choice but to mask his own embarrassment in this manner.

At that moment, Zhang Xiaodong couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Mu Shenqing. She had managed to maintain her composure and restraint for an impressively long time...

"Damn it, damn it!"

In her office, Mu Shenqing's anger erupted, resulting in several shattered teacups. Among the chaos, only her cherished one remained intact, tears streaming down its sides.