Chapter 290 - 288: Fully Equipped

Chapter 290: Chapter 288: Fully Equipped

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Li Xiu, having arranged their food and lodging, said to the twenty-two men, "Today was a bit rushed. I’ll have someone bring you dinner tonight. Starting tomorrow, someone will be assigned to cook for you specifically. Just tell those two what you want to eat, and I’ll allocate some funds to them. From now on, if you need anything, you can come directly to me. As long as there are no surprises, I won’t mistreat any of you!"

The twenty former soldiers and two active-duty soldiers responded in unison. Li Xiu nodded with satisfaction. He wasn’t short on money. As long as they met his requirements, he would never be stingy with it!

Sun Chengdong followed Li Xiu into the study and couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle, is there a reason you had me stay?"

Glancing at him, Li Xiu smiled and shook his head. ’He’s still so young.’ He picked up a book he had prepared earlier and handed it to him. "Tonight, I want you to copy this book. Take it back with you tomorrow. You have one month. I’m giving you one month to master this book."

Staring at the book in his hands, Sun Chengdong looked blankly at the title written in traditional characters. ’Is this book real? Wasn’t it said to be lost? How could it be in Uncle Li Xiu’s possession?’

"What’s wrong? You think one book isn’t enough?"

"No, no, no, it’s more than enough. Uncle, is this book real?" Sun Chengdong asked cautiously.

Li Xiu tossed him an exquisite blank notebook, then nodded. "It’s real. This book must not leave this room, understand? You can start now. I’ll come get you for dinner."

Without waiting for a reaction, Li Xiu turned and left. ’He had a mountain of things to do and no time to waste on him here!’ Arriving at the back rooms, he saw Zhou Huaitai and Zhang Yizhen doing their homework and knocked gently on the door.

Seeing Li Xiu enter, Zhou Huaitai and Zhang Yizhen both stood up to greet him. Li Xiu had always treated these two boys well. ’Perhaps it was due to their connection in a past life.’ He smiled and said to them, "You two, sit down. I have something to tell you."

"Uncle, go ahead," Zhou Huaitai and Zhang Yizhen said in unison.

Smiling, Li Xiu said gently, "I’ve recently received some news. There’s been some unrest in the Capital City lately, and I’m a bit worried. I’ve transferred some people over from the company. From now on, someone will escort you to school. But don’t worry, they’ll do their best not to disturb you."

"Uncle, what about our younger brothers and sisters..." Zhou Huaitai asked anxiously as soon as he heard.

Smiling and patting his shoulder, Li Xiu said softly, "Don’t worry, everyone in our family will be protected. Just don’t be mischievous and try to shake them off. If anything were to happen, I’d regret it for the rest of my life, you hear?"

"Don’t worry, Uncle, we’ll be good and listen!" Zhou Huaitai and Zhang Yizhen looked at Li Xiu obediently and said. ’This wasn’t something to joke about. For their uncle to assign them bodyguards, things must not be as simple as they seem. They couldn’t help, but the least they could do was behave and not cause trouble!’

Looking at them with relief, Li Xiu was very pleased. ’In the time these two kids have been in the Capital City, they’ve never caused any trouble for the adults. They even help watch the younger children and do what chores they can. It seems my decision back then wasn’t wrong!’

Just after dinner, Wang Song arrived, driving a truck. Li Xiu and Ping Jing were waiting for him outside the inner gate. As Wang Song jumped nimbly from the cab, the light caught the man next to Li Xiu—the Eldest Young Master of the Ping Family. He froze for a moment before instantly relaxing.

"It’s all in the truck. Have your men unload it," Wang Song said directly to Li Xiu.

Nodding, Li Xiu made a brief introduction. ’These two should already know of each other.’ He chuckled and said, "Just a moment, I’ll get some people to unload it!"

With that, he walked to the door of the gatehouse rooms and knocked. Instantly, about ten men burst out, along with a team leader.

Li Xiu pointed at the truck and said to them, "Unload everything from the truck. Call everyone back and get fully equipped!"

A short while later, all the men had returned and the items were unloaded. Everyone, except for Li Xiu and Wang Song, gasped. ’Where did he get all this stuff? And how?’

"Jin Chen!" Ping Jing looked worriedly at the equipment on the ground, then back at Li Xiu, at a loss for words.

Shaking his head with a smile, Li Xiu said softly, "Don’t overthink it. It’s all legal. Why would I do anything against the law? Everyone, gear up!"

"I brought you twenty-five sets! Return any you don’t use!" Wang Song said after glancing at the number of people.

Li Xiu shot him a look and scoffed. "Are you an idiot?" he said nonchalantly. "There are twenty-four people here! The extra one is a spare. What’s there to return!"

"No, I mean, you and..."

"Of course, Brother and I need a set. Did you leave your brain at home?" Li Xiu said, looking at Wang Song mockingly.

Wang Song shot him an annoyed look. "You’re right, I am an idiot. To think I could actually get you to return something that’s already in your hands!"

"As long as you know!" Li Xiu retorted bluntly. As he spoke, he swiftly assembled one set and handed it to Ping Jing, then grabbed two more for himself, leaving exactly twenty-two.

Looking at the complete set of equipment in his hands, Ping Jing couldn’t help but smile. ’This Li Xiu is truly audacious. Twenty-five sets of this gear could equip a special forces company. He’s really going all out!’

Seeing that everyone was equipped, Wang Song said softly, "Well, I’ll be heading back then. Brother, you be careful. Call me if anything comes up!"

"Alright, drive safe!" Li Xiu said. He took a notebook from his coat, handed it to Wang Song, and took two steps closer to whisper, "Everything inside is confidential. Once you’ve memorized it, destroy it!"

Stunned for a moment, Wang Song tucked the notebook into his coat and said grimly, "Don’t worry, I’ve got it!"

After seeing Wang Song off, Li Xiu turned to the bodyguards, who had already split into two teams. He addressed them sternly, "You know more about professional conduct than I do, so I won’t lecture you. If any issues arise, report to your team leader. If he can’t solve it, he’ll bring it to me. Rest assured, no matter what, I will not mistreat you. As long as you maintain your professional integrity, you will be well taken care of. You now have the necessary equipment, and all logistical support is guaranteed. I hope you won’t disappoint me!"

The two team leaders said, almost in unison, "You can count on us, Sir!"

Nodding, Li Xiu said no more. He and Ping Jing walked into the garden together. Looking up at the star-filled sky, Ping Jing said softly, "Jin Chen, is this really okay?"

"Brother, there are things one must do, and things one must not," Li Xiu said, smiling at Ping Jing. "This is a time of great chaos. Some people are looking to fish in troubled waters, so we’ll just have to catch them all in one net. There are some things Elder Ping can’t easily get involved in, but that’s what the Secretary-General and I are for, isn’t it? Hasn’t it always been that might makes right in this world? The victor is crowned king, and the loser is branded a villain. Ping’an is still too young; it’s not right for him to make a move on certain matters yet."

’What else could be done? An arrow, once fired, cannot be recalled. Since the decision had been made, they had to see it through to the end. Unless... unless the Ping Family’s Eldest Young Master could come out of seclusion. It wouldn’t have to be on the main stage; working from the shadows would be enough.’