Chapter 49: A Security Guard's Duty
Wu Yifan snapped to attention at her words, glancing up to find "Little Fox" spamming his screen with messages—part ultimatum, part cajoling—insisting on an immediate rematch. She even threatened to report him to the platform admins, to dig up his personal info through his account, and to "settle this face-to-face" if he kept dodging.
He let out a low laugh. "It's just a gaming platform. Let her throw her fit. What's the worst she can do?"
Mu Xiaoyao giggled, leaning over his shoulder to read the messages. "Scared you'll lose? That's why you're making excuses, isn't it?"
"Me? Afraid of losing? Please." Wu feigned a scoff, though he knew she had a point. "I could take her down with one hand tied behind my back. But kids these days—their egos are so fragile. If she cries herself into a meltdown after losing, I'll never hear the end of it. Better to avoid the drama, y'know? Good karma and all that."
Mu rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her tone. "Sure, 'karma.' But if she keeps spreading those lies, your 'great name' will be mud. Imagine future clients googling you and finding *that*—'Wu Yifan, the heartless jerk who abandoned a dying girl.' They'll run for the hills."
Cold sweat pricked at Wu's neck. She wasn't wrong. Mob mentality online was a monster—one viral post, and he'd be branded a villain for life. Even A-list celebrities crumbled under less scrutiny.
"You're right," he admitted, swiping a hand over his face. "Letting her rampage won't do anyone any good. Fine. Let's end this."
"Leave it to me!" Mu said, already sliding into his chair. She logged into his account, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she fired off a message to "Little Fox." Their exchange crackled with tension—Mu quoted lines from classic wuxia novels, Little Fox shot back with snarky internet slang—and by the time they'd agreed to a rematch, the platform's chatroom was buzzing with bets and trash talk.
Wu settled into a nearby chair, pouring himself a cup of tea, and promptly closed his eyes, looking for all the world like he couldn't care less about the showdown unfolding on screen.
When he finally stirred, it was because Mu nudged his arm, her face lit up with triumph.
"Done already? Win or lose?" he mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Win, obviously. Did you expect anything less?" She preened, but her tone softened. "It was close. Forty minutes. I had to pull every trick—even a cheap ambush at the end. She's good. Real good. She conceded, though—promised to delete those lies and clear your name. For now."
She hesitated, then added, "But she's not done. Swore she'll challenge *you* next time. If you want to avoid the hassle, maybe delete this account? Start fresh."
Wu stretched, his joints popping. "Start fresh? Nah. Let her come. I'll be ready."
He made no move to check the chatroom. Instead, he leaned back, closing his eyes again, a lazy smile playing on his lips.
Mu watched him for a moment, then logged out of the account, shutting down the computer. "You're weird, you know that? A guy with your skills—you could be anywhere, doing anything. Why stick around here, playing at being a security guard?"
Wu's gaze drifted toward the hallway, where Ye Xiwen's office door stood ajar. "Someone's gotta keep the peace. Infinity needs a guy like me."
"Please. You're here for *her*," Mu said, nodding toward Ye's office. "Classic move. Like in those old stories—Tang Bohu pretending to be a servant to win Qiuxiang's heart. Let's just hope your 'Qiuxiang' figures out you're not just some slacker guard."
Outside the security booth, Ye Xiwen and Fu Junyao froze mid-step.
Ye felt her cheeks flush, a small, involuntary smile tugging at her lips. *The nerve of him*, she thought. Spouting such nonsense without a care who might overhear.
"Xiwen jie, I *knew* he was after you!" Fu hissed, her hands balling into fists. "Fire him. Now. Before he weasels his way into your life—and your wallet."
"Do you really think that's why he's here?" Ye asked softly, her voice calm despite the flutter in her chest.
"Isn't it obvious?" Fu blinked, confused. "He's lazy, he flirts with everyone—even that kid! He's a playboy. You deserve better."
"You told me yourself—his driving skills are better than yours. If he wanted money, he could race for millions. And when Infinity was drowning in that scandal? He fought for us. No security guard—earning 2,000 yuan a month—would do that. Not for a job. For *something else*."
Fu faltered, recalling the rumors about underground street races, where winners walked away with fortunes. Wu's car *was* nice—too nice for a guard scraping by on pocket change.
"Then… why *is* he here?"
Ye sighed, a hint of warmth in her tone. "Who knows?"
Fu gaped at her. "Xiwen jie! You're not actually *considering* him? He's a slacker, a flirt—he's *terrible*! There are plenty of men out there—why him?!"
"Who said I was considering anyone?" Ye replied, but her voice lacked conviction. She turned toward her office, her steps steady.
"Xiwen jie! Wait!" Fu hurried after her, sputtering. "I'm trying to help! He's bad news! Can't you see that? Three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged men? They're everywhere! You deserve someone better—someone who's not a lazy, flirting… *jerk*!"
Ye didn't reply. But as she closed her office door, she found herself smiling.
*Better than him?*
Somehow, she doubted it.
Outside, Wu and Mu wandered toward the lobby, Mu chattering about the match, Wu nodding along, his mind elsewhere. He'd caught snippets of Ye and Fu's conversation—and if he'd noticed Ye's soft smile, he gave no sign of it.
For now, he was just a security guard, doing his duty.
Even if his "duty" involved more flirting, gaming, and unexpected kisses than the job description strictly required.