Smoke still lingered in the CEO's office.
Su Qing frowned as she studied the young man sprawled lazily on the sofa.
"You're really my brother's comrade-in-arms?" she asked in disbelief.
"Of course! Your brother and I are brothers forged in battle, life-and-death friends," Xiao Chen replied with a grin. His eyes, however, were busy sizing her up—far prettier than in the photo, he thought. Flawless skin, delicate features, graceful curves… she was stunning.
"Then why isn't my brother back himself?" Su Qing pressed.
"Half a month ago, you called him about some trouble. He wanted to take leave and return, but his request was denied. He's the King of Soldiers—important missions need him. This one's top secret. He'll be abroad for at least six months."
Her face tensed with worry. "Dangerous?"
"I don't know the details." Xiao Chen leaned forward. "But before he left, he asked me to come protect you. So—what trouble are you in?"
Suspicion flickered in her eyes. "Are you also some elite soldier?"
"Nope. Logistics."
"Logistics? Doing what?"
"Raising pigs."
Su Qing blinked. "…What?"
"Yeah. I'm an expert at it. Even made military contributions with pigs!" Xiao Chen said proudly.
She cut him off with a groan. "A pig farmer can't solve my problems."
"Heh, you haven't even told me what they are yet. Who says I can't help?"
Su Qing shook her head. "What I need is someone who can protect me and my sister. You… don't exactly inspire confidence."
"Don't underestimate pig farmers. Once, one of our pigs jumped a two-meter fence. None of the elite soldiers—including your brother—could stop it. I caught it myself. That proves I'm no worse than him."
Rubbing her temples at his bragging, Su Qing sighed. Her brother must have been soft-hearted, sending this clown. "Mr. Xiao, I'll handle things myself. You should return to the army."
"Can't. I was discharged."
"…Discharged?" Su Qing was speechless.
Xiao Chen smiled easily. "Your brother's sister is my sister. I'll stay in Longhai and protect you."
Before she could reply, her assistant entered. "President Su, Ren Kun is here."
Su Qing's face darkened. "I don't want to see him."
But the office door swung open anyway. A flashy young man strolled in, roses in hand.
"Xiaoqing, avoiding me again?" he smirked.
Her eyes turned cold. "Ren Kun, who let you in?"
Ignoring her, he thrust the flowers at her. "Heard you're looking for a bodyguard. I brought you one."
At his signal, a burly man in a black suit walked in, looking intimidating.
"This is Aaron, ex-member of the Spike Special Brigade—the best of the best," Ren Kun boasted.
A mocking laugh came from Xiao Chen. "Spike? Read too many novels, have you?"
Ren Kun turned, furious. "And who the hell are you?"
"Her bodyguard."
Ren Kun sneered. "You? Don't make me laugh. Get out."
Xiao Chen rose slowly. "And if I don't?"
Ren Kun snapped his fingers. "Aaron, teach him a lesson!"
The hulking man lunged. But before his punch could land, Xiao Chen's fist struck like lightning. With a thud, Aaron flew back, crashing into Ren Kun and breaking his wrist.
Ren Kun shrieked as he was pinned beneath his own bodyguard. Xiao Chen stepped forward, pressing a foot on his chest. "So, Young Master Ren… am I qualified to protect President Su?"
"You—!"
Slap!
"Mind your mouth," Xiao Chen warned.
Ren Kun trembled with rage. "Do you know who I am?"
"Yeah, yeah, spare me the cliché." Xiao Chen leaned closer. "I don't care who your father is. Answer me. Can I be her bodyguard?"
"…Yes," Ren Kun finally spat through gritted teeth.
At Su Qing's word, Xiao Chen released him. "Now, take your 'Spike soldier' and get lost."
Humiliated, Ren Kun staggered to his feet, glaring. "You'll regret this!" he shouted, before fleeing.
When the office was quiet again, Su Qing sat down and stared hard at Xiao Chen. "You're really… a pig farmer?"
"Of course. Why lie?" he said with a straight face.
Su Qing wanted to question further, but then she remembered her brother. If he trusted this man enough to leave her safety in his hands, maybe… just maybe… he wasn't as unreliable as he seemed.
For the first time, she considered keeping Xiao Chen around.