Chapter 287 - 285: Shengnan Returns to the Capital

Chapter 287: Chapter 285: Shengnan Returns to the Capital

With the situation in the Capital City growing increasingly tense, Li Bao and Wang Dongfang escorted Liu Shengnan back. Two cars drove directly into Li Xiu’s garden estate. Li Xiu and Zhou Lian were waiting at the arched gateway. Seeing Liu Shengnan wearing a mask, glasses, and a hat, Zhou Lian smiled, stepped forward to support her, and led her directly toward the small building.

Recalling the look Zhou Lian had given him, Li Xiu chuckled and helped everyone unload the luggage from the cars. The two retired soldiers, who had been specially hired to protect Liu Shengnan during the journey, watched Li Xiu. At a subtle nod from him, they quietly fell in behind.

After placing the luggage in the room prepared for Liu Shengnan, Li Xiu led the others out, leaving Zhou Lian to keep Liu Shengnan company.

They followed Li Xiu into his study in the courtyard. Li Xiu said to Li Bao and Wang Dongfang, "Regarding this trip back, if anyone asks, just say I sent you on a business trip. Remember, you are not to mention a single word about this matter to anyone. It doesn’t matter who it is. Li Bao, don’t even tell your wife. And you two, don’t tell Wei Guo or Liu Qiang either. It’s not that I don’t trust them, but one more person knowing means one more potential problem!"

Li Bao and Wang Dongfang nodded in firm agreement. This trip to the Southwest to pick someone up had given them a real understanding of their big brother’s capabilities. But just as he had said, not a single word could be spoken. After all, the matter was of great importance. Any mistake would have consequences no one could bear.

"Dongfang, this afternoon, go back to the company and pick a few more trustworthy men to send over. I need ten people for the courtyard here, and another eight for the garden estate over there. You know the drill—they need to be highly skilled, but most importantly, they must be completely trustworthy!"

Looking at the two retired soldiers who had accompanied them from the Southwest—one a scout, the other from a special operations battalion—Li Xiu said to Wang Dongfang, "Use these two as your standard. By the way, their salaries for this month will be quadrupled, and next month they’ll get double pay. The eighteen new people you pick will get the same treatment. Also, keep an eye out and continue recruiting suitable candidates for the company!"

Wang Dongfang glanced at the two tall, powerfully built former soldiers with their intimidating auras and couldn’t help but whine to Li Xiu, "Bro, bro, have a heart, old man! I went through so much trouble to get these guys. I only have a little over twenty in total, and you’re taking twenty of them at once! With such strict requirements, where am I supposed to find more so easily?"

"Figure it out yourself. Calling you stupid would be a compliment. Go find Wang Song! And that kid from the Sun Family—didn’t I introduce you to them? Is your brain just for decoration?" Li Xiu said irritably, watching him on the verge of throwing a full-blown tantrum.

Wang Dongfang’s eyes darted around. He instantly sat up straight, cleared his throat, and said softly, "Don’t worry, bro. I’ll have the men sent over this afternoon. I’m heading out now! Don’t worry, don’t worry, I won’t screw it up!" With that, he shot up from his chair and strode out of the room.

"Big Brother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to the company too!" Li Bao said, watching Wang Dongfang make his grand escape. Seeing that his big brother wasn’t in the best mood, he was also eager to slip away.

Li Xiu glanced at Li Bao and said sternly, "Leave the security side of the company to Dongfang. You, Wei Guo, and Liu Qiang need to keep a close watch on things for me. The situation in the Capital City is outwardly calm but inwardly tense right now. All of you need to lay low for a while and make sure the company is locked down tight. Things should settle down after next year. Stay low-key and don’t make any rash moves!"

Seeing his big brother’s serious expression, Li Bao understood that things were probably not that simple. But he wasn’t that curious. He just needed to carry out his big brother’s orders properly. ’Curiosity killed the cat, and that’s not just a saying,’ he thought. ’If Big Brother could tell me, he would. If he can’t, then knowing would be useless at best and would probably just make me a burden!’

Staring at Li Bao’s departing back, Li Xiu waited a moment before standing up and bowing to the two former soldiers. Startled, they hurriedly rose to support him. Li Xiu straightened up, gestured for them to sit, and said softly, "Those two brothers of mine are ordinary people. They surely didn’t know the full situation along the way. Thank you for your hard work."

The two former soldiers exchanged a smile and one of them shook his head gently. "It was fine. The journey was mostly peaceful. Mr. Wang and Mr. Xiao Li are very smart and never caused any trouble. They did exactly as we said. We only ran into some minor issues as we got closer to the Capital City, so we took a detour through Yi Province to circle back. At least for now, no one knows we’ve returned to the Capital City."

Tapping his fingers gently on the table, Li Xiu said slowly, "Good. I trust your professional skills. After those eighteen men arrive this afternoon, each of you will lead a team. One team will guard the courtyard house here, and the other will protect the people in the garden estate. Two more people will be moving into the garden estate this afternoon. I won’t hide it from you—they are the Eldest Young Master and the Eldest Young Madam of the Ping Family from the Imperial Palace. The person you just brought back from the Southwest is the Ping Family’s Younger Young Madam."

Stunned for a moment, the two former soldiers quickly recovered. One of them said softly, "Sir, we understand. However, I suggest we keep the identities of those three confidential. The new men should all sign non-disclosure agreements. Furthermore, it’s time we were equipped with some weapons. As you know, Sir, the storm is gathering in the Capital City right now."

"Weapons?" Li Xiu tapped the table gently, thinking for a moment. "Alright. I’ll do my best to get you all equipped with weapons by tomorrow. From then on, the security of the courtyard house and the garden estate will be in your hands. I also have two principles for you: Don’t start trouble, but don’t run from it."

Seeing the two former soldiers nod in agreement, Li Xiu smiled. "Let’s eat first. You must be exhausted after roughing it on the road."

The two former soldiers nodded and then got up to familiarize themselves with the surroundings.

Li Xiu went to the kitchen and asked Sister Fang to prepare a hearty meal with plenty of fish and meat. Then, he lowered his voice and said to her, "From now on, prepare two extra meals for the garden estate, plus one maternity meal. Sister Fang, starting tomorrow, someone will escort you when you go grocery shopping. From today on, you don’t need to worry about anything else, just manage the kitchen. And from now on, besides you and me, no one else is allowed in the kitchen. Just act like you don’t know anything, Sister Fang."

Seeing the serious look on Li Xiu’s face, Sister Fang nodded gravely. "Don’t worry, I’ll keep the kitchen secure. But what about Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou?"

"I’ll talk to them tonight. Don’t worry, it’s not a huge issue. I’m just taking precautions, after all..."

"I understand. It’s been difficult, but aren’t we finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel? Besides, with you and Xiao Lian protecting them, nothing will happen!" Sister Fang said with a sigh. She had been with this family for seven or eight years, and they rarely hid things from her. ’But the more precious this child is,’ she thought, ’the more people there are who don’t want it to be born. Ah, the hearts of men!’

Li Xiu could only manage a wry smile. He clearly remembered that in his past life, Ping’an didn’t have a daughter until he was in his forties. But this unborn child was...