You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

He looked out the window; it was already broad daylight.

"I'll go change my clothes first; I can't lose my job as the logistics team leader for now."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards his cubicle.

***

A few hours later, Chen Yang, dressed in clean work clothes, appeared at the logistics company warehouse on time.

He commanded with composure, calmly directing the sorting and distribution of goods during the morning rush hour, perfectly concealing his bloodthirsty and murderous aura beneath the gentle and pragmatic demeanor of a team leader.

However, around noon, the manager of the logistics point called him into the small office.

The manager was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a professional, polite smile on his face, but there was a hint of rigidity in his eyes as he conveyed orders from his superiors.

"Team Leader Chen, thank you for your hard work."

The work schedule for the next few days may need to be adjusted temporarily.

"Ok?"

Chen Yang's mind raced, but he maintained the respect due to a subordinate.

"Manager, you mean there's a new assignment?"

"That's not it."

The manager waved his hand, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice.

"It's like this, Miss Lina's side... um, you know."

He gave Chen Yang a knowing look.

“Mr. Jack personally gave the order, saying that during the time you are responsible for Miss Lina’s safety… during the time Miss Lina is playing here, you… you don’t need to go back to the warehouse to work.”

"What do you mean?"

Chen Yang frowned at the opportune moment, revealing a hint of surprise and unease at being "abandoned".

"Manager, please tell me frankly, does the company think I'm not suitable to be the team leader? Do they want to..."

He didn't say the word "expulsion," but the worry and subtle sense of loss in his tone were perfectly conveyed.

"Oh dear, what are you thinking!"

The manager immediately interrupted him with a smile, which was even more enthusiastic but also... a bit more fake.

"Team Leader Chen, please don't misunderstand! This is good news! It's great news!"

He repeated Lina's father's instructions with a smile.

"Miss Lina is very satisfied with your... cough cough, the guide we arranged! Mr. Jack specifically requested your name so that Miss Lina could have a more relaxed and enjoyable time!"

From now on, unless Ms. Lina returns to her home country or has other arrangements, your top priority during working hours is to ensure Ms. Lina's safety!

And let her have fun! As for the warehouse scheduling work, someone else will temporarily take over! Salary will be paid as usual! Bonuses will not be reduced either!

He patted Chen Yang's shoulder forcefully.

"Work hard! Taking good care of Miss Lina is far more promising than moving goods in this warehouse! Mr. Jack personally appointed you as his 'exclusive guardian,' which is a huge show of trust! Many people would love to have such a cushy job fall into your lap!"

Chen Yang's face flashed with surprise and doubt at just the right moment, finally turning into a solemn and firm expression that was somewhat flattered.

He straightened up and said in a deep voice.

"Yes, Manager! I understand! Please rest assured, Manager and Boss! I will do my best to protect Miss Lina! I will ensure that she is safe and happy every day here!"

But inwardly, he was sneering.

Would being "promoted" from logistics team leader to private nanny make it easier for the other party to keep a closer eye on her? However, it's exactly what she wanted.

***

Almost seamlessly, Chen Yang appeared in the lobby of Lina's hotel around lunchtime. As soon as he entered, Lina rushed over from the coffee bar seat like a light butterfly, her blue eyes filled with undisguised, pure joy.

"Chen Yang! You've finally arrived!"

She naturally took Chen Yang's arm, their intimacy completely unpretentious.

"Let's go! What should we do today? Roller coasters! Giant swings! Pirate ships! I want to ride them all!"

Chen Yang's face had naturally switched to a gentle and patient guide mode, and he smiled.

"Miss, I'll play whatever you want."

Thus, the city's most prestigious amusement park encountered a pair of tourists with outrageously high energy levels.

From thrilling and dazzling high-speed roller coasters to dizzying flying chairs, from high-tower bungee jumping simulators to haunted house adventures... Lina is like a never-ending dry sponge, greedily absorbing all this novelty and excitement!

Her laughter and screams continued throughout the afternoon.

Chen Yang accompanied her throughout, his expression remaining gentle and calm. Even when Lina nervously grabbed his arm, he would gently comfort her with a few words of "Don't be afraid." Yet, deep within his eyes, like the most sophisticated radar, he silently scanned every corner of their surroundings that might pose a threat.

At the same time, he was also silently observing Lina's most genuine emotional reactions when she came into contact with these mundane entertainments—novelty, excitement, girlish coquettishness and a little fear, which was completely unlike her deep understanding of some kind of deadly drug.

Around 4 p.m., as the setting sun bathed the city's steel forest in a warm golden glow, Lina, who was covered in sweat and had a flushed face like a ripe apple, was reluctantly coaxed away from the amusement park.

"hungry!"

Lina touched her flat stomach and looked at Chen Yang with bright blue eyes.

"I heard there's a super... famous food street and night market here! Let's go!"

Chen Yang naturally had no objections. The crowds at the food street were no less than those at the amusement park, and were even more bustling and lively.

The sizzling sounds of oil in various woks, the white steam rising from the steamer, and the pungent, rich aroma of various spices—enough to make one sneeze—create the most primal picture of everyday life.

"This! Grilled squid!"
A string of them! No!
Two strings!

"Wow!

What's that? Stinky tofu? Oh my god, it smells amazing...exciting! I want to try it!

"Candied hawthorn berries! Strawberry! The biggest one!"

Lina completely let loose, clutching takoyaki in one hand and holding a milk tea in the other, her mouth bulging as she looked around for her next target. Where was the elegance of a wealthy young lady? She was just like a gluttonous girl next door.

Chen Yang followed behind her, dutifully carrying her bags, paying for her meals, and acting as her human shield. Occasionally, at her insistence, he would also try some of the "specialties."

The hustle and bustle of the food street only subsided slightly when the moon was high in the sky. Lina rubbed her slightly bloated stomach contentedly and let out a small burp.

"We've eaten and drunk our fill... Shouldn't we head back now?"

Chen Yang spoke at the right moment. He noticed that there seemed to be a trace of fatigue in Lina's eyes, and that very faint bluish-gray color that only appeared when the Eastern Dao Yuan and the holy power clashed within her seemed to reappear for a moment.

"Hmm... okay..."

Lina, unusually, did not refute, but simply stretched and leaned lazily against Chen Yang's arm, her eyes darting around.

"But... before we go back, take me somewhere."

Her tone carried an unusual calmness.

*** Twenty minutes later, Chen Yang drove Lina's low-key minivan and parked it in front of a magnificent high-rise office building covered with blue one-way glass curtain walls.

A huge neon sign flashed cold, striking English words in the night: "DIFE TRADE GROUP CHINA HQ".

Dave Trading Group – China Headquarters

The building entrance was heavily guarded. The security guards on duty wore special uniforms, were burly, had sharp eyes, and exuded a menacing aura unlike that of ordinary security guards.

Chen Yang's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had brought Lina to the hotel countless times, but this was the first time he had set foot here!
This is the most central, publicly known stronghold controlled by the behind-the-scenes family, Lina's father, Jack?

Lina was clearly very familiar with the process.

Her demeanor instantly shifted from that of a girl next door on the food street to her usual aloof elegance, carrying a subtle sense of distance.

She didn't get out of the car, she just rolled down the window.

The security guard at the door recognized Lina in the back seat at a glance. Without any surprise on his face, he immediately straightened up and placed his right hand on his chest in a special gesture of respect—his palm lightly touching his heart and his chin—the movement was crisp and clean, showing a respect ingrained in his bones.

"Miss!"

The voices were perfectly synchronized.

"Open the door."

Lina's voice was flat.

The massive electric sensor doors slid open silently to both sides.

The car slowly drove into the underground parking lot—brightly lit and excessively spacious, filled with a uniform array of understatedly luxurious top-of-the-line business vehicles or custom-made bulletproof cars. The atmosphere was eerily solemn and quiet.

After swiping a special iris and chip card in the private elevator, the elevator silently stopped at the top floor a few seconds later.

"arrive."

Lina went out first.

Before you is a minimalist luxury corridor covered with a thick, dark gray pure wool carpet and with dark gold metal lines inlaid on the walls on both sides.

There was no noisy office area, only a few well-dressed, hurried, and powerful men and women walking by, talking quietly with folders in their hands. When they glanced at Chen Yang, there was a hint of scrutiny in their eyes, and they bowed slightly to Lina.

Lina walked straight to the heavy double mahogany door at the end of the corridor without looking to either side.

The secretary at the door saw Lina and immediately stood up to greet her respectfully.

"Miss Lina."

"Is my dad inside?"

Lina spoke in Chinese.

“Yes, Mr. Jack is here. I need to announce his presence…”

"Need not."

Lina pushed open the heavy door.

The office has a classic American business style, and the huge floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the brightly lit city at night.

Behind the desk, a middle-aged man wearing a well-tailored dark gray custom suit, with slightly graying temples and a distinctly Western face that exuded a rigid and dignified air, raised his head. His gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was sharp as an eagle, instantly sweeping over Lina at the door and Chen Yang a step behind her.

He is Jack Dave, the head of the Dave Trading Group, and Lina's father.

"Daddy!"

Lina, who had maintained a distance downstairs, completely changed as soon as she entered the room.

She pounced over like a cheerful little bird, bypassing the large desk, and wrapped her arms around Jack's neck, nuzzling her cheek against his slightly stiff face, her tone unabashedly affectionate and coquettish.

"I miss you so much! I had so much fun with Chen Yang today!"

Jack's serious face softened into a helpless smile, almost like melting ice and snow. He gently patted his daughter's back, but his gaze went straight past Lina's shoulder and landed on Chen Yang, who stood quietly at the door, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his eyes as calm as water, and he nodded slightly in greeting.

"Alright, how old are you? What kind of behavior is this?"

Jack gently but firmly pulled his daughter a little distance away and stood up.

His gaze fell upon Chen Yang like an invisible ruler, scrutinizing every inch of him from head to toe with a penetrating intensity.

The look in his eyes didn't seem like he was looking at a daughter's friend or subordinate; it was more like he was assessing the intrinsic value of a sophisticated tool.

"You're Chen Yang, Mr. Chen?"

Jack spoke, his Mandarin slightly accented but extremely fluent and standard, deep and magnetic.

"Just call me Chen Yang, Mr. Jack."

Chen Yang's voice was calm and powerful, without the slightest hint of flattery or evasion, and he answered frankly in meeting the other person's gaze.

Jack nodded slightly, his expression perfectly controlled, conveying the reserved and distant "gratitude" characteristic of someone in a superior position.

"It's a great honor to meet you. Lina has mentioned you to me many times."

He left his seat and stood a few steps away from Chen Yang, exuding an invisible yet powerful sense of oppression.

"Especially after that incident at the bar, and the companionship and protection you've given Lina these past two days, she's had a wonderful time here."

He paused for a moment, and his eyes became more sincere—though that sincerity was more like a carefully crafted mask.

"Thank you, Chen Yang."

He said it very solemnly.

"Ensuring Lina's safety and happiness is your most important support to me and to the Dave Group."

Chen Yang bowed slightly, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.

“Mr. Jack, you flatter me. Protecting Miss Lina is my duty. Besides, Miss Lina is smart and beautiful, and it would be a pleasant experience to travel with her.”

His answer was impeccable, both acknowledging the other party's gratitude and subtly flattering Lina.

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Jack's eyes, seemingly quite satisfied with Chen Yang's response.

He turned slightly to the side and made an inviting gesture.

"It's dinner time. Lina must be hungry by now, having played all this time. I've asked the restaurant to prepare a simple dinner. Would Mr. Chen do us the honor of joining us so that my daughter and I can take this opportunity to express our gratitude?"

***

The restaurant, located on the top floor of the headquarters building, is an extremely private, circular revolving restaurant with a 360-degree city view. At this moment, it serves only these three people. The tables are covered with snow-white linen tablecloths, and the exquisite silver cutlery gleams warmly under the soft lighting.

The waiters, dressed in impeccably tailored tuxedos, served dishes that blended top-notch Chinese and Western culinary techniques with effortless grace. Rare seasonal ingredients were prepared like works of art.

The atmosphere at the meal was more relaxed than Chen Yang had imagined. Lina chattered excitedly to her father about the fun she had experienced at the amusement park and the food street over the past two days. She giggled when she was happy, just like a carefree little girl, as if the internal conflict within her had been temporarily calmed down.

Jack listened with a doting smile on his face, occasionally interjecting to ask a few questions about the details, his gaze mostly lingering on his daughter.

"...Chen Yang is the best!"
He didn't even blink at how high the roller coaster was! (End of Chapter)