C10 Chapter 10

It was quite peculiar.

Someone had actually sought out Chen Dong to discuss business? Chen Dong's interest was piqued. As he was about to climb into the car, he hesitated, noticing his wet clothes.

After all, it was a Maybach.

Wouldn't it be improper to soil it?

The driver simply smiled knowingly and swung the door open, his grin conveying volumes without the need for words.

Still, Chen Dong felt a touch of embarrassment. Settling into the car, which dipped slightly under his weight, he accepted a towel from the driver and began to dab at his damp attire, wringing out the water. "My apologies."

"No worries," came a voice, aged yet commanding and resonant.

Chen Dong's ears perked up at the sound, finding it oddly soothing. He turned to see an elderly man seated beside him. Time had etched its story into the man's features, but it was clear that in his youth, he had been quite handsome.

Chen Dong's keen eyes, however, were drawn to the old man's legs, covered by a blanket. Beneath it, the legs were disabled.

Yet, there seemed to be a faint glimmer of vitality. Chen Dong's spirits lifted momentarily before he mentally chastised himself. It was best not to pry into affairs that were not his own.

"Good day, sir," he greeted. He couldn't recall when such a distinguished figure had emerged in the city.

"So you're Chen Dong?" The old man appraised him with a benevolent smile. "You've been the talk of the town, headlining for several days now."

Chen Dong was at a loss for words. Was it really that noteworthy to have caught a mop in midair?

Could that really be a topic of conversation for so long? He offered an awkward smile, unsure of how to respond.

What Chen Dong hadn't considered was that, from his perspective, falling from the 24th floor and grabbing a mop was trivial. But for others, it was nothing short of miraculous.

How many could say they've fallen from such a height and lived to tell the tale?

If grabbing the mop was a stroke of luck, then it was an extraordinary one at that.

"May I ask your name, sir?" Chen Dong squinted slightly, still puzzled as to why this elderly gentleman had sought him out without any apparent reason.

The distinguished older gentleman flashed a smile that was deep and enigmatic. Extending his hand, it was a stark contrast to his face—his hand had well-defined contours with a slight callus on the knuckles. "Yang Guogang."

Chen Dong shook the offered hand and the name echoed in his mind, leaving a knot in his stomach. He repeated it silently several times, but no recognition came.

By all accounts, Chen Dong was well-acquainted with the elite and had made numerous connections. It seemed unlikely that he wouldn't have heard the name before. Perhaps it had simply slipped his mind.

Without dwelling on it, Chen Dong got straight to the point. "May I ask what brings you to me, sir?"

"Young man, surviving a fall from the 24th floor isn't exactly ordinary, is it?"

It certainly wasn't.

Chen Dong shrugged it off with a playful grin. "Everyone says I'm just lucky. I happened to get caught by a mop on the way down. Just my good fortune."

"Given the velocity of a falling body and the wind speed, objects become a blur. Your vision must be exceptional to have grabbed onto that mop handle so swiftly and precisely," Yang Guogang observed, his once-cloudy eyes now gleaming as he let out a low chuckle.

Was he casting doubt? Chen Dong touched his nose, pondering the implication.

"Oh, right!" Chen Dong remembered the lunchbox in his pocket and carefully wiped it with a cloth. "I've got things to handle, so let's catch up another time."

As they conversed, the driver had brought them to the commercial district. The towering building of Susu Fashion loomed nearby. The elder must have done his homework on Chen Dong; how else would he know to find him here?

Chen Dong was now in a precarious position. His abilities set him apart from the average person, and being different meant being a target for those eager to study anomalies.

For the moment, Yang Guogang's intentions were unclear, but Chen Dong knew he needed to lay low and avoid drawing attention.

Yet, he had overlooked one crucial detail—he was already making headlines. How could he possibly escape the spotlight now?

"I must admit, I've approached you today to ask a favor," Yang Guogang confessed, aware that he had startled someone, and he didn't beat around the bush.

Chen Dong paused for a moment before taking his hand off the car handle, pursed his lips, and said, "Go ahead."

Chen Dong was intrigued. He wondered what sort of help he, in his current role as a son-in-law, could possibly offer.

Yang Guogang let out a heavy sigh, weighing his words carefully.

It took some time for Chen Dong to understand that Yang Guogang was a businessman who had made some money while working abroad but had also attracted enemies. He was an old man, close to death, and fear of dying was the least of his concerns. What he couldn't bear was the thought of leaving his daughter, Qiqi, vulnerable to those enemies.

With another sigh, the old man looked visibly worn. "With my legs in this condition, I simply can't protect Qiqi."

It was clear from the conversation that Qiqi was his daughter.

"So, you're asking me to protect your daughter?" Chen Dong dismissed the idea without a second thought. He was uncertain about his own physical condition, let alone acting as a bodyguard for someone else.

That seemed far too risky.

"Sir, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but... it's just..." Chen Dong struggled to find the right words, not knowing how to explain himself. "I really think hiring a professional bodyguard would be the safest option."

"Ah, young man..."

The old man continued to call out, but Chen Dong, determined, dashed out of the car and braved the pouring rain to reach the entrance of Susu Fashion. The bento he carried, chilled by the wind, remained nestled in his arms, thankfully still at a temperature suitable for eating.

It was for that foolish woman.

Whether she chose to eat it or not.

"CEO, what should we do?" The driver looked back, his eyes filled with concern.

Yang Guogang suddenly felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. He clutched the blanket over his knees, shaking uncontrollably as he tried to protect them. The color drained from his lips.

"Is it the pain again?" The driver, alarmed, quickly turned and unbuckled his seatbelt, ready to step out and assist.

"Don't move!" Yang Guogang gestured with his hand and leaned back, gritting his teeth. He let out a breath and said, "If it doesn't work the first time, keep going."

"Actually, I think Mr. Chen has a point. We could arrange for bodyguards..." The driver clearly couldn't grasp why his CEO would act this way. Wasn't Chen Dong just lucky enough to get his hands on a mop?

What real skills could he possibly have?

"You don't understand." With years of experience under his belt, Yang Guogang trusted his own judgment. He was confident he wouldn't misread someone. That kid was definitely not as straightforward as he appeared.

Entering the elevator, Yang Guogang felt a momentary sense of weightlessness. As the doors slid open, Chen Dong arrived at the floor housing Lee Susu's office. To his surprise, he collided with a man. Chen Dong's grip faltered, and the lunchbox he was carrying tumbled to the floor.