Chapter 48: New Bodyguards

Early morning.

Sunlight spilled through the window onto the light brown floor, making Lu Chen, who had just woken up and hadn't yet washed, feel a bit lazy and reluctant to move.

After canceling today's schedule, Lu Chen felt a wave of relief.

After basking in the sun for a while and faintly hearing the sound of a ship's whistle coming from the direction of Victoria Harbour, Lu Chen finally got up and went downstairs.

After breakfast, Lu Chen didn't return to the study; instead, he changed his clothes and sat down in the reception hall.

Cigar, newspaper, coffee.

Enjoying the warmth of the sun.

"Boss, I've brought the person."

Liu Xiaofeng walked over, bringing a burly stranger with him.

Stopping in front of the coffee table, Liu Xiaofeng spoke in a steady voice.

He turned slightly to the side, revealing the big man.

"This is Chen Mo. He used to be a fishmonger and also came from over there. His skills are quite good, and he has a 6-year-old daughter."

Lu Chen didn't speak immediately, but instead looked at this silent man.

He was burly; although he was wearing a suit, it felt like if he were to make a move, the suit would immediately shred into rags.

There was a fresh scar on his face, and his eyes held a fierce aura.

There was a faint scent of fish in the air.

Lu Chen nodded slightly and reached out to toss two packs of 555 cigarettes to Liu Xiaofeng.

Only then did he say, "The daughter is settled, right? How about this: tell Steward Wang that when the little girl finishes school, bring her back to live at the Zhuangyuan. The Zhuangyuan is a bit lacking in vitality."

Lu Chen leaned back against the arm of the sofa and reached into his personal space to pull out 20,000 Hong Kong dollars, placing them on the table.

"Old Mo, let's call you that from now on. This is yours."

Lu Chen pushed the money forward and continued speaking.

"After finishing your business today, go with Steward Wang to pick up your girl and buy some little toys that little girls like."

Lu Chen didn't perform any tests; he just looked at Liu Xiaofeng.

Seeing Liu Xiaofeng nod slightly, Lu Chen's heart immediately settled, and he then looked at Chen Mo.

"Starting today, your salary is doubled. During the time Xiaofeng is away, just follow me and handle things."

Lu Chen took a puff of his Cigar, changed his posture, and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"Xiaofeng, your affairs are all arranged, right?"

"Everything is arranged. If you have anything to do, just instruct Old Mo directly."

Liu Xiaofeng didn't look at the money on the table; he just stood even straighter, a hint of worry appearing on his face.

"As long as it's arranged, don't worry about things at home. Isn't there Old Mo, whom you recommended?"

A smile appeared on Lu Chen's face as he nodded slightly and said in a relaxed tone.

"When you and Xuan Hua arrive in Piaoliang Guo, you must pay attention to safety. If anything happens, don't go rushing to the front."

Lu Chen's tone carried a hint of seriousness, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Boss..."

"Alright, go see your mother. I hope the doctors in Piaoliang Guo can cure her. If anything comes up, discuss it more with Xuan Hua; don't be impulsive. That place is not like Xianggang."

Lu Chen waved his hand, and after Liu Xiaofeng left the reception hall, looking back at every step, he tapped the sofa beside him.

"Old Mo, sit. Put the money away."

Old Mo carefully put the money from the table into his jacket, even looking up at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen nodded slightly, stubbed out his Cigar, took out a new pack of 555 to toss to Old Mo, and opened a new one for himself to light.

"No need to be nervous; I don't usually encounter any danger here."

Lu Chen tossed a cigarette to Old Mo and then continued, "Xiaofeng should have issued you a gun, right?"

"He did. I passed Instructor Liu's assessment in the suburbs."

Old Mo's voice was low, his tone carrying a hint of confidence.

He took a puff of the 555, though his hand had already crushed the cigarette filter.

Lu Chen nodded slightly, finished his cigarette, took a sip of coffee, and then spoke.

"Today I have an appointment with Feizai from Nitan at a teahouse in Central. There probably won't be any danger, but you need to follow. Can you drive?"

"I can drive."

Old Mo just answered sullenly and didn't say anything else.

"Alright, have Steward Wang order a car for you, just like the ones for Xiaofeng and the others—a Buick. I'll be troubling you for this period."

Lu Chen glanced at Steward Wang standing at the entrance of the reception hall before withdrawing his gaze.

Steward Wang stood at the entrance of the reception hall, and only after Lu Chen's voice fell did he knock on the door.

"Sir, Xiao Huangmao has arrived."

"Old Mo, no need to leave. Xiao Huangmao is with us today."

Lu Chen nodded slightly and pressed his hand down toward Chen Mo, who was getting up to leave.

"Let Xiao Huangmao in."

Lu Chen said to Steward Wang.

Chen Mo, who had just stood up, looked at Lu Chen and sat back down on the sofa.

His eyes held a hint of confusion, and he seemed a bit nervous.

"Big Brother, you live in such a big Zhuangyuan now!"

Although Xiao Huangmao was a bit reserved, he still looked around, his eyes full of admiration, but there was no hint of greed.

Lu Chen nodded with a smile, until Xiao Huangmao walked closer and saw Chen Mo, who was exuding a fierce aura and smoking silently.

He jumped backward, a trace of fear appearing on his face, his mouth twitching slightly.

He looked at Lu Chen with a puzzled expression.

"Big... Big Boss, why... why is he here..."

"Sit."

Lu Chen pointed to the sofa opposite Chen Mo, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes.

Interesting!

I wonder if Liu Xiaofeng knows about this situation.

It seems Old Mo isn't just a simple fishmonger after all.

Xiao Huangmao glanced at Chen Mo again, and finding that he had no intention of moving, he carefully leaned closer to Lu Chen.

Realizing he was about to sit on the sofa where Lu Chen was, he smiled somewhat awkwardly and perched tentatively on the sofa Lu Chen had pointed to.

His hands gripped the armrests tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white, as if he would bolt immediately if Old Mo made a move.

"Are you that afraid of him? Don't worry, Old Mo doesn't bite."

Lu Chen patted the back of Xiao Huangmao's hand and handed him a 555 cigarette, tucking it into Xiao Huangmao's still-trembling lips.

The cigarette bobbed up and down incessantly; Xiao Huangmao didn't seem to hear Lu Chen at all, keeping his eyes fixed on Chen Mo.

Chen Mo seemed to have become interested, putting on a fierce expression toward Xiao Huangmao, which nearly made Xiao Huangmao shrink into the sofa.

Lu Chen gave Chen Mo a speechless look, which finally made Chen Mo return to his silent state.

Lu Chen was in no rush; he tossed a cigarette to Chen Mo, lit one for himself, and waited slowly for Xiao Huangmao to recover.

It wasn't until Xiao Huangmao picked up the lighter on the table, lit his cigarette with a tremor, and took a puff that he slowly returned to a state of calm.

"Big Boss, what was it you said just now?"

Xiao Huangmao glanced at Chen Mo, quickly averted his gaze, and asked cautiously.

"It's nothing, I'm just finding you a backer today."

Lu Chen smiled and glanced at Chen Mo.

He crossed his legs the other way and lit another 555 cigarette.

Chen Mo took a drag of his cigarette and casually stubbed it out in the ashtray.

He shrugged his shoulders, a helpless expression appearing on his face.

"Old Mo, go change your clothes; there are spares in the first room on the first floor. Steward Wang, prepare the car; it's time for us to go."

Lu Chen stood up and patted Xiao Huangmao on the shoulder.