C18 Bodyguard

The kick came out of nowhere, catching everyone off guard, Xiao Nan included.

"Mr. Xiao, are you okay?" A voice full of concern rang out as a boy, roughly Xiao Nan's age, stood before him and inquired with utmost respect.

Xiao Nan shook his head, indicating he was fine, before asking, "And you are?"

The boy, all seriousness, responded, "I'm Qingfeng. We'll be classmates from now on, and I'm tasked with ensuring your safety."

"Ensuring my safety?" Xiao Nan looked puzzled, not recognizing the boy.

"Elder Lin assigned me to assist you, knowing you'd face danger today," Qingfeng explained.

Elder Lin? How could he have known about today's events? Did he have some fortune-telling ability? It was all very odd.

Before Xiao Nan could delve further, Scar had picked himself up off the ground, brandishing a dagger from his pocket in a fit of rage. "Who the hell are you, daring to blindside me like that? You're asking for trouble!"

"Shut it!" Qingfeng, back to the man, flipped him the bird and spoke with icy disdain.

"You're gonna regret crossing me today!" Scar commanded his entourage with a wave, "Get him!"

His cronies charged without hesitation, but Qingfeng remained calm, whispering to Xiao Nan, "Hold on, Mr. Xiao. Let me take out the trash first."

Without waiting for a reply, Qingfeng executed a swift backflip, evading the ambush and landing squarely among them. The attackers, tense and facing Qingfeng, didn't stand a chance. In mere moments, as Qingfeng stood his ground again, they were sprawled on the ground, groaning in agony.

"Mr. Xiao, we're good to go," Qingfeng said, approaching Xiao Nan and gesturing that it was time to leave.

Without a pause, Xiao Nan headed for the exit.

"Hey, how did Elder Lin know I'd run into trouble today?" Xiao Nan asked, still bewildered.

"Elder Lin witnessed everything that happened last night. He could easily deduce that the person who was humiliated would seek revenge," Qingfeng stated plainly.

So that's how it was. This incident clearly illustrated the shrewdness of those in big business. Their gaze was penetrating, and they possessed foresight, taking precautions before problems arose. Elder Lin truly lived up to his reputation. His success was evidently not just a matter of luck. Suddenly, Xiao Nan aspired to be as capable as Elder Lin, to foresee the future and be proactive. Perhaps one day, he might even have the world at his feet.

"Your Kung Fu is impressive. Who taught you?" Xiao Nan inquired casually.

"Elder Lin," Qingfeng replied, his answer as straightforward as his fighting style.

"Elder Lin knows Kung Fu?" Xiao Nan asked, incredulous.

"There's much to learn about Elder Lin, but I'm not at liberty to disclose too much here."

Much to learn, indeed. Qingfeng's cryptic response suggested that Elder Lin's reasons for sending him extended beyond mere protection. It was likely an encouragement for Xiao Nan to seek mentorship.

Xiao Nan was no fool; he grasped the implications. Mention of Elder Lin prompted him to fondle the pocket watch he carried—a symbol of potential, not necessarily indicative of value. It could be worthless or invaluable. Much like Xiao Nan himself, who started as a nobody, his destiny once dictated by others. But since acquiring the Treasure Appraisal System, his fortunes had swelled, and influential connections began to gravitate towards him. Maybe, just maybe, he was on his way to the pinnacle of success, to a time when he might rival the wealth of nations.

With these thoughts, Xiao Nan was filled with a mix of emotions. To reach the heights he dreamed of would require effort. Currently alone in his endeavors, he recognized the need for a powerful ally. Given Elder Lin's esteemed stature, choosing him seemed wise. After all, knowing how to adapt to the times is the mark of a true sage, and Xiao Nan was well aware of this truth.

"Could you introduce me to Elder Lin?" Xiao Nan asked.

"Elder Lin has made it clear—he will meet with no one unless they become his disciple," Qingfeng responded.

What was this all about? Was there really no chance to discuss things? Xiao Nan raised his hand to scratch his head, intrigued by the situation. He genuinely couldn't fathom what Elder Lin saw in him. Maybe Elder Lin's mystique came from being inscrutable to others.

"Fine, take me to him. I'll accept him as my master!"

Qingfeng remained silent, stepping in front of Xiao Nan and murmuring to the air before falling quiet again. That's when Xiao Nan noticed the earphones stuffed in Qingfeng's ears. Clearly, Qingfeng hadn't planned on a long stay at the school. He had anticipated Xiao Nan's meeting with Elder Lin and had kept his gear on hand.

In that moment, Xiao Nan felt duped, but that sensation only fueled his resolve to rise above, to not let others manipulate him so easily!

A black Bentley had been parked at the school's entrance for quite some time, with a man in his forties waiting by the car. Spotting Qingfeng and Xiao Nan, he quickly opened the door for them. Once they were settled inside, he shut the door and returned to the driver's seat, driving off.

As the car disappeared into the distance, a girl emerged at the school entrance. Her delicate beauty was captivating, drawing the gaze of anyone who saw her. She took in the scene, her bright eyes flickering with confusion. She couldn't grasp how Xiao Nan, once dirt-poor, had managed to rub shoulders with the wealthy.

"Mengqi, what are you staring at? Get to class, or you'll be late!"

Snapped out of her reverie by the call, Chen Mengqi hurriedly responded and dashed off toward the academic building.

The Bentley pulled up to a grand villa in an affluent neighborhood, home to the private estates of many business magnates. Xiao Nan had been here before, merely passing through while working a part-time job nearby. He had once dreamt of owning a place here, but he knew such dreams were just that—fantasies unlikely to ever come true in his lifetime.

Things had changed. Given time, if he truly desired something, he would surely obtain it before long.

"Mr. Xiao, please come in," Qingfeng politely invited the daydreaming Xiao Nan.

With a couple of acknowledging grunts, Xiao Nan quickly composed himself and strode into the villa.

The villa was enormous. The walk from the gate to the entrance alone took several minutes, passing at least ten servants along the way. The villa's front courtyard was a lush tapestry of flora, with servants diligently tending to the greenery, paying little heed to Xiao Nan's presence.

"Xiao Nan, you've actually shown up. You haven't disappointed me!"