C9 Stay Behind

As the bodyguard landed several punches, Zhang Yang's thoughts became a jumbled mess, and he felt like he was on the brink of collapse.

Out of nowhere, a crisp female voice echoed in his mind, asking if he wanted to exchange for a special offer.

"Yes!"

He had no idea what it was, but instinctively, he responded.

"Exchange complete. One hundred Achievement Points deducted, enhancing bodily functions by fifteenfold, and healing all injuries!"

The moment the voice ceased, Zhang Yang felt an unprecedented surge of energy flood his body, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of relief.

Opening his eyes, he realized he was in the grasp of a bodyguard, about to be hauled away.

Meanwhile, Lin Yuan had lost interest in him and was presenting a gift box to Bai Ling, chatting with her casually, inquiring about her recent well-being.

Bai Ling glared at Lin Yuan, her eyes red and swollen from crying, choking back sobs. She had no desire to speak with him, her loathing for him reaching its peak.

Lin Yuan was taken aback by Bai Ling's reaction. He couldn't fathom why she was so affected by Zhang Yang. Despite his attentive care for her lately, she had never shown any affection for him. Yet Zhang Yang, who was clearly of lower status, had somehow won her favor.

This realization fueled Lin Yuan's resentment toward Zhang Yang. He could not stand the sight of any man near the woman he desired, especially one who had become an obstacle.

He turned to instruct the bodyguards to remove Zhang Yang, intent on not letting him off easily. He was determined to make sure Zhang Yang would never dare to remain in this city.

But the sight that greeted him nearly scared him out of his wits.

Zhang Yang was effortlessly holding one bodyguard by the wrist while stepping on the head of the other, who lay on the ground. Both bodyguards were utterly incapacitated.

What had transpired? In the brief moment Lin Yuan had looked away, what on earth had happened?

These two bodyguards, top-tier mercenaries hired from abroad at great expense, were now being manhandled by Zhang Yang as if they were mere chicks.

"Haha, big brother is so powerful!"

Bai Ling, who had been crying, suddenly burst into excited leaps and bounds!

Bai Ya's expression, however, was a mix of emotions. She had just witnessed Zhang Yang's swift actions. In under five seconds, he had subdued the two bodyguards, moving so quickly that even she was caught off guard.

This guy was becoming more enigmatic by the minute. Who exactly was he?

Soon after, Zhang Yang kicked the two bodyguards aside and slowly advanced toward Lin Yuan.

"What do you think you're doing!?" Lin Yuan stammered, fear causing him to back away.

"What does it look like? You sent someone to attack me, and now it's time for me to settle the score," Zhang Yang said with a cold laugh, his newfound strength filling him with unprecedented confidence.

"You wouldn't dare hit me, would you? Do you have any idea who I am? Lin Yuan! The heir to the entire Lin family enterprise. I could crush you with my wealth alone! If you lay a finger on me, do you really think you'll get away with it..."

"Smack!"

Zhang Yang didn't let him finish. With a slap amplified fifteenfold, he sent Lin Yuan flying, his face swelling up instantly, resembling a pig's head.

"All this whining is so annoying. You're scared yet you still stir up trouble?" Zhang Yang said, his face showing nothing but contempt.

"You'll regret this!"

Lin Yuan, his mouth too swollen to articulate properly, spat out a threat before he and his bodyguards beat a hasty retreat.

Zhang Yang yawned, utterly indifferent to Lin Yuan's threats. Having dealt with the situation, he felt it was time to make his exit.

But just then, Bai Ling seized the opportunity while Bai Ya was still in shock, wriggled free from her grasp, and ran over to Zhang Yang, grabbing his hand.

"Mr. Zhang Yang, you're so amazing. I totally approve of you as my brother-in-law now."

"Pfft, cough!"

Zhang Yang was taken aback by Bai Ling's unexpected declaration. He patted her head gently, urging her not to say such things.

Bai Ya's face turned to one of fury as she rebuked Bai Ling for her absurd comments and demanded she return to her side immediately!

But Bai Ling was adamant, shaking her head and looking up at Zhang Yang with pleading eyes, "Mr. Zhang Yang, will you take Bai Ling out to play again tomorrow?"

Seeing the look on Bai Ling's face, Zhang Yang felt a tug at his heartstrings. He had a real soft spot for this naive little girl and found himself agreeing, "Whenever I get the chance, I'll take you out to have fun."

"So, you won't be coming tomorrow?" Bai Ling's voice dipped, a hint of sadness in her tone. She could sense the implication in Zhang Yang's words.

"Zhang Yang, I'll double your salary. From now on, you'll be exclusively accompanying Ling Er," Bai Ya interjected, her gaze icy as she regarded Zhang Yang.

She couldn't stand to see Bai Ling so downhearted. Despite others perceiving her sister as a little demon, Bai Ya was well aware of her sister's inner fragility.

If Zhang Yang were to leave now, Bai Ling likely wouldn't crack a smile for months.

Yet, for some reason, Bai Ya couldn't muster any fondness for Zhang Yang. His fashion sense was atrocious, lacking any semblance of style, and he always wore a look of arrogance.

In Bai Ya's eyes, Zhang Yang was nothing more than a complete deadbeat.

"Hmm? Double the salary? Even if it were double, I wouldn't work for you," Zhang Yang retorted with a dismissive laugh, as if Bai Ya's offer was beneath him.

To him, a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan was trivial.

"You!" Bai Ya was livid, taken aback by Zhang Yang's response. A 20,000 yuan monthly salary was nearly equivalent to that of a company executive, and even the bald man's salary barely exceeded 10,000 yuan.

"Brother, please agree. All you need to do is spend some time with Bai Ling every day, nothing more," Bai Ling pleaded, tugging at Zhang Yang's hand and swaying it back and forth, laying on the charm thickly.

"Bai Ling, this isn't right..."

"Okay, if that's the case, I'll agree," Zhang Yang conceded, flashing a mischievous grin at Bai Ya.

Bai Ya was about to chastise Bai Ling for her lack of judgment and making decisions without consulting others, but she was cut off by Zhang Yang's sudden acceptance. He smirked at Bai Ya triumphantly.

"Sister, let's settle it this way. Why not use Bai Ling's pocket money to pay Mr. Zhang Yang's salary? Bai Ling promises to be on her best behavior from now on."

At that moment, Bai Ling gave Bai Ya a look so pitiful that it seemed she would collapse into tears if Bai Ya refused her. Bai Ya found herself torn, but the sight of Bai Ling's expression melted her resistance, and with a resigned sigh, she agreed.

"Yay! Mr. Zhang Yang, now we can be together all the time!" Bai Ling exclaimed, jumping up and throwing her arms around Zhang Yang.

"Bai Ling! Mind your manners. It's not proper for a young lady to behave like this," Bai Ya chided.

"No way, Mr. Zhang Yang is my brother, and who knows, he might become my brother-in-law one day. What's wrong with hugging him?" Bai Ling protested.

"Hey, cut it out with the wild guesses!"

"Hey, cut it out with the wild guesses!"

"You two are so in sync, it's hilarious," someone chuckled.

"Nonsense, that's not true!"

"Nonsense, that's not true!"