Chapter 21: Another Invitation

“May I ask what business you have with me?” Sensing that Chen Anlong was a man of means, yet seeing the cunning glint in his shrewd eyes, Jiang Fan found it hard to feel any goodwill toward him and asked cautiously.

“The man you beat up yesterday used to be my bodyguard and driver. I admire your skills, and I’d like to hire you as my bodyguard to ensure my safety. The job is quite easy—during the day, I’m at the factory, so you’ll have your own free time. At night, when I attend social events, you must accompany me and be ready at a moment’s notice.”

Without waiting for Jiang Fan’s input, Chen Anlong laid out his requirements. With his seasoned slyness, he had already guessed from Jiang Fan’s battered shoes that his circumstances were poor. To him, recruiting a down-and-out man was a sure thing, so he didn’t mention having seen Jiang Fan with Hao Meng, and spoke with a certain arrogance, getting straight to the point.

Jiang Fan, who already felt no fondness for Chen Anlong, was further put off by his imperious demeanor. He recalled Li Jiuguan’s instructions before he was taught: never assist the wicked, never use force to oppress the weak.

Without hesitation, Jiang Fan replied, “Sorry, I don’t think I’m suited for that kind of work. Please find someone else.”

“If you agree, I’ll offer a salary that will certainly satisfy you.” As a wealthy investor in a foreign land, security was paramount. Seeing Jiang Fan’s difficult situation and his stubborn pride, Chen Anlong slightly tempered his arrogance and spoke more gently.

The promise of a good salary struck a sensitive nerve in Jiang Fan. His hard circumstances had forced him to rely on Hao Meng’s support, though she did so willingly, it was a bitter pill for a man of pride. Yet the thought of working for such an overbearing boss was distasteful, and he wavered as he considered his options.

The factory’s security captain, who had accompanied Chen Anlong, saw his boss’s unusual patience and assumed Jiang Fan was simply posturing to negotiate better terms.

Eager to show loyalty, the captain interjected, “Our boss owns three factories, his time is precious. That he’s willing to personally seek you out is an enormous favor—and he’s offering such generous terms. What’s there to hesitate about? Let me remind you, there are countless street fighters out there, and if you miss this opportunity, you won’t find another like it!”

Though Jiang Fan was desperate for work, Chen Anlong’s earlier arrogance had left him hesitant. The captain’s words, raising Chen Anlong on a pedestal and implying that hiring Jiang Fan was a favor, only deepened his resistance.

Rather than helping Chen Anlong, the captain’s remarks sealed Jiang Fan’s resolve to refuse.

He looked at the captain with contempt and replied bluntly, “Such a great opportunity should be yours, not mine. I don’t need it.”

His aversion growing, Jiang Fan didn’t wait for Chen Anlong or the captain to respond. He left the dumpling shop and returned to his rented room.

Accustomed to being flattered in factories and entertainment venues, Chen Anlong’s pride was wounded when a laborer who couldn’t even afford shoes dared to snub him. His arrogance flared and, watching Jiang Fan walk away, he snapped angrily, “What a fool, doesn’t know what’s good for him. Let’s go.”

Back in his room, Jiang Fan lay on his bed to cool off. He reflected on the many factories he’d visited in recent days and felt keenly the difficulty men faced in finding work. Now, with a job within reach, he had let anger dictate his decision and given it up.

His prideful refusal had preserved his dignity, but possibly cost him a chance, and he might still need Hao Meng’s continued support to survive in Dongguan. Regret began to gnaw at him for having acted so impulsively.

Chen Anlong returned to the factory, where Zhu Bing, who’d been afraid to ask for leave after his defeat, awaited him with a swollen head and lips so puffed he could barely speak. Seeing Chen, Zhu Bing hurried over, bowing and apologizing repeatedly.

Normally, Chen Anlong took such behavior as a sign of respect, but compared to Jiang Fan’s unyielding pride, Zhu Bing’s servility seemed pathetic. He recalled Zhu Bing’s boasts from days before.

Chen Anlong sneered angrily, “Didn’t you say no one could last ten moves against you? Turns out you were right—because you can’t even survive one. Where’s the chance for ten? You’re only fit to be a security guard. From tomorrow, go back to your old post and guard the factory gates. If you don’t want to, then get lost.”

Chen Anlong didn’t fire Zhu Bing out of kindness, but because Zhu Bing was always obedient at his side. Owners like to keep loyal dogs around, and Chen preferred someone he knew for errands rather than a stranger, so he kept him.

As for Jiang Fan, whom he valued, Chen Anlong sensed from their first meeting that he wasn’t easily tamed, so he decided to prepare for both outcomes.

At seven in the evening, Hao Meng, who hadn’t visited Baisha Village all day, finished her makeup and prepared for her shift. Just as she entered the hotel’s main entrance, Wang Fang pulled her onto the sofa beside the dance floor.

“Tell me—what happened yesterday? I went to your dorm this afternoon, and A Lian said you went shopping in Humen Town. Why didn’t you call me?”

“I just drank too much and felt upset—wanted to cry, that’s all. Nothing really happened.”

Growing up in the same village and being relatives, the two were close. But in their current line of work, Hao Meng was unsure of her own feelings and didn’t know how to explain them to Wang Fang. She kept her thoughts hidden and didn’t answer the question about shopping, because she hadn’t gone shopping; after getting significant tips yesterday, she’d gone specifically to buy two pairs of sneakers and a set of clothes for Jiang Fan.

Her silly devotion was something she didn’t want anyone else to know.

As they chatted, they saw through the hotel’s glass entrance Chen Anlong lead in a young girl, not yet twenty, with a pure face and striking beauty, dressed in a pink dress.

“The Money God has arrived—should you greet him, or should I?” Wang Fang wanted to attend to him herself, but worried Hao Meng might mind, so she asked quietly.

“There’s no need for us sisters to draw lines. You go ahead,” Hao Meng replied.

Since her brief reunion with Jiang Fan, Hao Meng felt increasingly unable to focus at work and was beginning to resent her profession.

Wang Fang, delighted, got up and greeted Chen Anlong with flattery, “Boss Chen, with your stature, why do you drive yourself today? Where’s your driver?”

Chen Anlong, pointing to Hao Meng sitting three meters away, said, “The driver was beaten into a panda by Hao Ma’s friend. How can I bring him here to meet people?”

Even if it wasn’t for booking a room, any guest who came to the hotel was to be treated with respect by the mamasan, as per hotel rules. Since Chen Anlong had named her directly, Hao Meng had to rise and approach, asking with a puzzled tone, “Which friend of mine would dare to hit your people?”

“What friend? The one who helped you deal with the robber. Didn’t you say he’d gone to another town to stay with friends and you hadn’t kept in touch? Why is he in Baisha Village?”

Chen Anlong, feeling slighted by Hao Meng’s deception, couldn’t help but complain.

“You’ve met?”

“Not only met—your friend was quite the character. Not only did he beat up my bodyguard, but he didn’t give me any face at all.”

Though still intent on recruiting Jiang Fan, Chen Anlong was unwilling to let go of his self-important pride,