Under One Person: Feng Shui Master, I Will Protect the Mountains and Rivers with My Own Body

The bunker became lively in the morning as researchers gradually took up their posts, but Yan Sen was fast asleep.

In his dream, he was sitting at the entrance of a hutong in Beijing, with a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast laid out in front of him. He had a roast duck in his left hand and a pork knuckle in his right. Just as he was about to take a bite, he was woken up by a violent earthquake.

He groggily opened his eyes, his vision still a little unfocused, and saw a delicate face, as exquisite as a porcelain doll, right in front of him. Those big, bright green eyes blinked like two freshly washed jades.

Chen Duo sat on the edge of the bed, her two thin legs dangling in mid-air, swaying back and forth, her heels occasionally hitting the bed board with a soft "thump-thump" sound.

"Wow!"

Yan Sen jumped in fright, instinctively pulling the blanket up to protect his non-existent innocence. "Duo'er, how did you get in? Men and women shouldn't touch each other! You can't just go into a boy's room! Especially in the morning!"

"Smack."

A crisp sound came from the doorway—the sound of a bubble popping from chewing gum.

Yan Sen turned his head and saw Liao Zhongzheng leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, chewing gum. His fleshy face was full of displeasure, looking just like an old father who had just caught his daughter having an early romance.

"I brought her here."

Liao Zhong blew a bubble, then bit it hard and popped it. "Old Zhang from the research department is retiring today, and the cafeteria specially prepared some good food to send him off. I asked Xiao Chenduo if she wanted to come directly to the cafeteria with me or if she wanted me to come and wake you up first. She chose to come and wake you up first."

When Liao Zhong said this, his tone was so sour it could make two pounds of sauerkraut.

He went to pick up Chen Duo with great enthusiasm, thinking that the girl had been learning boxing from him quite well these past few days, and that she should at least be closer to him, right? But when she heard there was something delicious to eat, her first reaction was: "Brother Sen hasn't gotten up yet, it'll get cold."

At that moment, Liao Zhong heard the sound of his own heart breaking.

Yan Sen was secretly delighted to see Liao Zhong's disapproving expression. This rough old man was jealous!

He threw off the covers, jumped out of bed wearing only a pair of shorts, and without any hesitation, reached out and ruffled Chen Duo's smooth hair, turning the girl's neatly combed hair into a bird's nest.

"Oh dear, our Duo'er is so considerate." Yan Sen said sarcastically, glancing sideways at Liao Zhong as he dressed. "Unlike some unscrupulous adults who, at their age, are still jealous of children. They're really pathetic."

"Hey! Xiaoyan! How dare you talk to your uncle like that?" Liao Zhong's thoughts were exposed, his old face flushed red, and he glared angrily. "Who's jealous? I'm worried you'll corrupt Duo'er! Look at your sleeping posture, drool all over the pillow! You don't even have a proper sleeping posture!"

Chen Duo sat on the edge of the bed, watching the two men, one big and one small, bickering in front of her.

Although she didn't quite understand what "jealousy" meant, nor did she quite understand why Uncle Liao was blushing, she could feel the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere in the air.

This atmosphere made her feel warm and cozy.

"Hey~" Chen Duo's lips curled up slightly, revealing a very faint smile.

The moment that smile appeared, Liao Zhong instantly lost his temper. He scratched his head, his fierce face melting into a warm smile, and he grinned foolishly as well.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and wash your face and brush your teeth. Let's go, let's go! If we dawdle any longer, those starving ghosts will snatch all the good food!"

……

The atmosphere in the small private room of the cafeteria was both lively and somewhat sad.

This was a rather informal farewell banquet, the main character being Old Zhang from the research department, who had worked diligently for over a decade in the dark bunker and had finally reached the point of honorable retirement.

The table was laden with dishes, not anything fancy, but they were all incredibly flavorful with the aroma of a wok.

"Congratulations, Uncle Zhang! You've finally made it through! Go home and hold your grandson!"

"Old Zhang, don't forget your brothers after you get out! Come back and visit often... Ugh, look at my mouth, it's better not to come back to this lousy place!"

After the farewell banquet, the lively atmosphere seemed like a dream. The researchers, having eaten and drunk their fill, returned to their respective posts. The adult world did not leave them time to savor sadness.

Liao Zhong, along with Yan Sen and Chen Duo, escorted Old Zhang to the inner security door of the bunker.

This is a heavy alloy gate. On the other side of the gate is an elevator leading to the ground. Once you pass through this gate and the outer camouflage layer, you will be in a world of freedom.

"Xiao Liao, thank you so much for coming all the way to see me off."

Old Zhang, dressed in casual clothes and carrying a simple bag, beamed with the joy of returning to normal life. He patted Liao Zhong's broad shoulder and said with a smile:

"You've reached the age where you should start taking care of yourself. Work is for the company, but your health is for yourself. Master Yan was right before; your dark circles are like a panda's. Have you been feeling weak lately? I'll recommend a prescription for you later. Get some medicine according to the prescription and take care of yourself, okay?"

"Cough cough cough!"

Liao Zhong nearly choked on his own saliva, his old face turning a deep purplish-red, and he subconsciously glanced at Yan Sen beside him.

Yan Sen was looking up at the ceiling, with an expression that said, "I don't know anything, it's none of my business."

"Tsk, you're retired, stop talking nonsense! Hurry up and get out of here!" Liao Zhong pushed Old Zhang's shoulder, shoving him towards the door like shooing away a fly. "Once you're out, keep your mouth shut. If you leak any secrets, I'll come after you!"

Old Zhang wasn't angry at all; he just laughed heartily. He nodded to Yan Sen and Chen Duo, his eyes filled with the loving kindness of an elder, and then, accompanied by the driver, strode into the elevator.

"bite--"

The elevator doors slowly closed, separating the two worlds.

Liao Zhong looked at the tightly closed metal door, and the smile on his face gradually faded.

"Let's go back." Liao Zhong turned around, took a deep breath, and reverted to his decisive and efficient regional manager. "Duo'er needs to practice her skills. Duo'er, would you like to practice first, or go to the amusement park for a while?"

However, Chen Duo did not answer.

Her emerald green eyes remained fixed on the closed security door.

That was the first time she had ever seen someone "leave" from here.

"Uncle Liao."

Chen Duo's voice was very soft, yet exceptionally clear.

She slowly withdrew her gaze, turned her head, and looked at Liao Zhong with a look of youthful curiosity and a hint of heartbreaking longing in her eyes.

"Can I go out?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Liao Zhong's steps suddenly stopped, as if he had stepped into a cement floor.

He looked into Chen Duo's pure, unadulterated eyes, and felt as if something was blocking his throat.

"Well......"

Liao Zhong opened his mouth, the habitual phrase "You can go out once you're better" was on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn't get it out.

That's something you say to fool children.

Chen Duo is no ordinary child; she is a Gu-body Saint Child, a biological weapon in the eyes of the company, a bomb that could explode at any moment.

According to company regulations, she will most likely spend the rest of her life in this bunker, either until she dies of old age or until it goes out of control and is destroyed.

"Would you like to go out?"

Liao Zhong swallowed back his perfunctory reply and asked instead. His hands were clenched into fists in his pockets, his palms sweating profusely.

"Right now... I don't really want to." Chen Duo shook her head, her answer honest. "Uncle Liao, Brother Sen, braised pork, and basketball are all here. I really like it here."

Liao Zhonggang breathed a sigh of relief, but Chen Duo's next words hit him like a heavy hammer in the heart.

"But Uncle Liao and Brother Sen will get out someday."

Chen Duo turned to look at Yan Sen, her eyes filled with a hint of dependence and a sharpness beyond her years. "Uncle Liao and Brother Sen went out, and I want to go out too. Uncle Liao, if I want to go out, can I?"

This child is so insightful.

She keenly sensed that Yan Sen didn't fit in here. Yan Sen was a guest, someone who came to help, and he would leave sooner or later.

She herself seems to have a different identity.

Yan Sen stood to the side, twirling the Heavenly Ruler in his hand, without saying a word.

He looked at Liao Zhong with a playful expression.

He couldn't answer that question. He wasn't a company employee and had no right to make any promises.

This is a test that Liao Zhong must face.

"Hey, what's wrong with that?!"

Liao Zhong took a deep breath and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. He walked over, squatted down, placed his large hand on Chen Duo's head, and rubbed it vigorously.

"Our Duo'er is so smart and well-behaved, she'll definitely get out! Staying in this lousy place all the time isn't good, everyone's going to get bored. Uncle will think of something! Uncle will definitely think of something!"

These words were spoken with great bravado, but only Yan Sen could hear the tremor in his voice.

Think of a solution?

That would be going against the entire company's system, and it would require a face-to-face battle with those old foxes on the board of directors.

"Really?" Chen Duo's eyes lit up.

"Really! When have I ever lied to you?" Liao Zhong patted his chest to assure you. "Don't worry about it! Alright, stop thinking about it. Go play with Aunt Li, who taught you to read, for a while, and let her tell you some stories about the outside world. Uncle Liao has something to discuss with your brother Sen."

Liao Zhong slapped his forehead, as if he had suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, Aunt Li seems to have brought some chocolates today, they'll be gone if we go too late!"

"Then I'll go. Uncle Liao, Brother Sen."

Chen Duo nodded, reluctantly letting go of Yan Sen's hand, and turned to run towards the activity room.

She took a couple of steps, then looked back at the safety door before disappearing at the end of the corridor.

Once he was sure Chen Duo had gone far enough away that he could no longer hear their conversation, Liao Zhongcai, as if all his strength had been drained, plopped down on a bench by the corridor.

He pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket, but his hands were shaking so badly he couldn't even take out the cigarettes.

"Yan Na."

Liao Zhong lowered his head, his voice terribly hoarse, "Give your uncle some advice? I know you're quick-witted and full of clever ideas. This matter... do you think I have a solution?"

Yan Sen didn't stand on ceremony and plopped down next to Liao Zhong, crossed his legs, and glanced sideways at the man with a worried expression.

"What? The old man isn't jealous of me anymore? Weren't you just guarding me like I was a thief?"

"No way! Uncle, how could that be! Absolutely not!" Liao Zhongyi shook his head vehemently, his face filled with righteous indignation. "Uncle was... he was testing you! Yes, testing you!"

Yan Sen chuckled and didn't continue teasing him.

He leaned back in his chair, put his hands behind his head, looked at the pale white light above him, and spoke in a lazy and casual tone.

"This isn't that difficult, Uncle Liao. You just need to take care of her, and that'll be fine."

"I'm supporting her?"

Liao Zhong was taken aback, his mind still reeling. He pointed around and said, "I'm taking care of her, aren't I? Her eating, drinking, toileting, and sleeping—I'm in charge of everything!"

"Tsk, why does your brain short-circuit at crucial moments?"

Yan Sen rolled his eyes at him with exasperation, "I'm not talking about this kind of 'publicly funded parenting.' I'm talking about—adoption. Legally, you're her father."

"To...to be a father?!"

Liao Zhong's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and the cigarette in his mouth fell to the ground.

"Yes, becoming a father."

Yan Sen sat up straight, his eyes sharpening, and began to explain the intricacies of the situation to Liao Zhong.

"What are the company's concerns? They are nothing more than the fear that Chen Duo will lose control, that she will hurt people, and that they will take responsibility. As long as she is 'company asset,' the company will treat her like 'dangerous goods,' detaining, monitoring, and destroying her. This is standard procedure."

"But what if she becomes a 'person'? What if she becomes your daughter, Liao Zhong?"

Yan Sen extended a finger and gently tapped the armrest of the chair, making a rhythmic sound.

"You won't spend the company's money; you'll support her out of your own pocket. You'll register her household and find her a school. Of course, that's not possible right now; the company won't release her. But you can try negotiating with the board of directors first."

"How do we talk about it?" Liao Zhong listened intently, his body involuntarily leaning forward.

"Take Liao Zhong for example, you're willing to stake your life and fortune on it. Before Chen Duo is completely under your control, she'll be operating under the company's surveillance, or living in this hidden bunker, but her status will change. She'll no longer be a prisoner, but your family member."

Yan Sen's lips curled into a sly smile: "Once we've confirmed that Chen Duo isn't the ticking time bomb, the surveillance will naturally be lifted. When Duo'er is old enough, you can arrange for her to join the company as your assistant, or perhaps..."

Yan Sen lowered his voice: "Let her replace Uncle Li and be your temporary worker."

"A temporary worker?!" Liao Zhong was shocked.

"That's right, they don't hold official positions, their identities are kept secret, and most importantly—they report directly to the regional head."

Yan Sen patted Liao Zhong's thigh: "Think about it, you'll be the regional manager, and she'll be your temporary worker and your adopted daughter. You two, father and daughter, working together for the company—wouldn't that be a legendary tale in the world of supernatural beings? It solves her identity problem, keeps her under your watchful eye, gives the company a fighting force, you have a daughter, and Chen Duo a home. A triple win—why not?"

Liao Zhong listened in a daze, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter as he listened.

He felt that the fog in front of him had been cleared away by Yan Sen's few words.

Yes!

What the company fears most is an uncontrollable bomb, but what the company lacks are obedient and good employees!

If Chen Duo became his daughter and his soldier, wouldn't all the problems be solved?

"Yan Na..."

Liao Zhong jumped up, his face flushed with excitement, and slammed his large hands hard on Yan Sen's shoulder. "You're a fucking genius! How is your brain so clever?!"

"That's right, don't you know who taught me?" Yan Sen rubbed his numb shoulder, grimacing. "It's only because of Duo'er that I'm using this trick, otherwise I would have charged a consultation fee."

"Give it to me! You absolutely have to! I'll give you as many uncles as you want!"

Liao Zhong now sees Yan Sen as nothing more than a living bodhisattva who saves people from suffering.

He's a man of action; once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it.

"No, this needs to be done sooner rather than later. The board members have been discussing Chen Duo's future arrangements these past few days, I have to get there quickly and snatch her away!"

Liao Zhong glanced at the time, his eyes hardening with determination.

"I'm going to copy all of Duo'er's medical records and behavioral assessment reports from the past few days right now! I'm flying to Yanjing right now and taking this evidence to Zhao Fangxu's table!"

"Uncle Liao, do you want a wife?" Yan Sen suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Huh?" Liao Zhong was about to rush into the archives when he heard this, he slipped and almost fell flat on his face. "What the hell?"

"If you go to Yanjing, why don't you go on a blind date? Look at your conditions, you have a house, a car, and status. Although you're a little... well, you're not exactly handsome, but you make a good impression. If you could find a stepmother for Duo'er, wouldn't the family structure be more complete? That would be more convincing!" Yan Sen teased with a wicked smile.

"Get lost! You little brat, you're trying to make fun of your uncle, aren't you!"

Liao Zhong laughed and cursed, but his fierce face was filled with an unprecedented radiance.

That was the light of hope.

That afternoon, a special plane bearing the logo of NaDuTong, carrying Liao Zhonghe, full of fighting spirit, and a thick stack of documents, roared into the blue sky above Yanjing.