Chapter 111: Boss, Do You Need a Bodyguard?

Xu?

Zhang Tianfeng and Gao Ran both froze for a moment.

That made no sense. They had been fighting the Xu family tooth and nail—so why would this clueless fool dare show up now, and act as though he did not even recognize him?

“What is it? Is there a problem?” Xu Maocai asked when Zhang Tianfeng said nothing.

“No. I’ve heard of the Xu family’s name. A prominent clan in Harbor City, involved in many industries.”

“Of course. My Xu family is a century-old house that survived through brutal struggle.”

Xu Maocai gave a muffled snort, lifted his chin, and said, “Since you know the Xu family, then we’re friends. I hear you run a factory. Let’s talk business later—there may be room for cooperation.”

“Sure. Then I’ll thank Young Master Xu in advance.”

Confirmed. He really was a complete blockhead.

He had sent Xu Juncong to prison and driven Xu Kuangdao all the way from Tangwan Town to Harbor City, leaving him utterly defeated.

Yet he knew nothing about such a huge affair. Most likely he was only a collateral branch member of the Xu clan—the kind who could barely qualify to return to the ancestral home in ordinary times.

Even so, he could still ask around. After all, he was still one of the family. Whatever he knew would certainly be more than what outsiders knew.

After Zhang Tianfeng caught that familiar look in his eyes, Gao Ran understood at once and followed him over to sit on the sofa.

Xu Maocai sat down with his legs spread wide, full of the air of a big shot.

“Xiao Zhang, I hear you opened a toy factory. How large is it?”

“A small shop. We’ve only got a few dozen people right now, and the money we earn is almost not enough to cover machine maintenance. Young Master Xu, have some wine.”

Seeing Zhang Tianfeng’s sycophantic expression, a few of Gao Ran’s roommates changed color.

As expected, apart from being greedy for wealth and women, a man had no backbone at all. Couldn’t he see the way Xu Maocai looked at his girlfriend? The man was practically ready to swallow her whole, and he was still fawning over him like a fool. What a spineless wretch!

After taking a sip of wine, Xu Maocai said, “That’s how those people from Little Sun Island are. Their prices are sky-high, and they won’t even let you watch the repair process. But one thing is certain—the machines they produce are truly excellent.”

“Yes, yes, everything Young Master Xu says is right.” Zhang Tianfeng smiled ingratiatingly. “Young Master Xu, I’ve heard your family is involved in many industries. Could you tell me more about them?”

Xu Maocai undid one button and leaned back into the soft sofa.

“The Xu family’s total assets are in the hundreds of billions, and our business spans hardware, finance, transportation, department stores, and real estate.”

“What kind of toys do you make? Tell me about them. Maybe I can speak to my father and have him send a supplier over to talk with you.”

“We produce some character figures and cards from Little Sun Island comics.”

“What market is there for that? Do people even know those things?”

Xu Maocai looked at Zhang Tianfeng with the tone of an elder instructing a junior. “Xiao Zhang, let your big brother tell you something honest. Business is much easier now, but if you want to succeed, you still have to follow certain rules.”

“Selling something nobody knows, and making it in such a crude way—you deserve to lose money.”

“I’m a straightforward person when I speak, so don’t take offense.”

“Not at all, not at all. Thank you, Young Master Xu, for pointing me in the right direction.” Zhang Tianfeng raised a glass and asked, “Young Master Xu, does your department store business cover the whole country?”

“Not the whole country, but every province in the south. Yuexiu Department Store—you’ve heard of it, right?”

“I have, I have. It’s the kind of affordable, good-value brand with an excellent reputation. My mother said it’s an old name that existed even when she was young.”

“Wow, Young Master Xu, I never knew Yuexiu Department Store belonged to your family. That’s amazing!”

“Young Master Xu, let me toast you—not for anything else, just because you’re so handsome.”

The storm of praise came crashing down in waves, leaving Xu Maocai a little lightheaded.

He waved a hand and said, “It’s all due to the legacy of my ancestors. I’m still just an ordinary man.”

“So modest.”

“You’re rich and modest too. Ranran, what do you think of a man like that?”

The plastic best friend who had taken the money finally began her assault.

The moment the topic was thrown out, everyone turned to Gao Ran.

She remained calm and said slowly, “Very impressive. At the very least, he’s the first choice for Prince Charming in most girls’ hearts.”

“And what about you?”

“I’ve never lacked money since I was a child. I think as long as it’s enough to use, that’s fine. What matters most is finding a personality that complements yours. Only then can two people walk side by side through a life that is both long and brief.”

When she finished, Gao Ran looked at the person in front of her with deep feeling. “The madman is the one I’ve chosen. He’s the one who can accompany me through my whole life.”

Damn it, this was a confession disguised as acting.

Sister, how am I supposed to respond to that?

If I agree, you’ll probably use this as an excuse to go even further.

If I don’t, then I’ll put you in an awkward spot.

At times like this, the role of the villain becomes especially clear.

Xu Maocai, sitting nearby, saw the two of them gazing at each other with deep emotion, and veins bulged on his forehead.

Tonight’s gathering had been arranged by him.

The drinks, the snacks, the fruit... even those three plastic best friends had been hired by him.

He had spent money and effort on all of it, and for what? So he could perform well in front of Gao Ran and make her remember him.

And now what? She was telling him she did not love money and only wanted to find the right person.

Fine. Then I won’t be polite either.

They say a forced melon is not sweet? I only need it to quench my thirst.

“Xiao Zhang, turn around. I need to tell you something.”

“Young Master Xu, go ahead.”

“I like your girlfriend very much. I hope you can part with her and give her to me. In return, I’ll give you a business channel and guarantee that you’ll become a millionaire within a year.”

Everyone around them was stunned. This was not a proposal; this was outright robbery.

The atmosphere turned awkward at once. Aside from Zhang Tianfeng and Gao Ran, the other eight people had all taken Xu Maocai’s money.

The girls were thin-skinned and simply turned their heads away as if they had seen nothing. The remaining five boys, however, stared fiercely at Zhang Tianfeng, clearly ready to move if he refused.

Bang.

The cup hit the table with a crisp ring, and Zhang Tianfeng’s expression returned to normal.

“I was planning to play along with you for a little while longer, but since you’ve made yourself so clear, I can only show my hand.”

“Show your hand? What cards do you have to show? Planning to drag out your background and scare me?” Xu Maocai sneered coldly. “Don’t be ridiculous, brother. Ranran’s friends already told me—you’re just an outsider. What background could you possibly have?”

Zhang Tianfeng gave an “oh” and said, “You’re from the Xu family, so you should know that there are two people in your clan who haven’t been having an easy time lately. One’s in prison, and another has suffered repeated setbacks and lost hundreds of thousands.”

“They both fell to one young man. That man is the supposedly backgroundless outsider you look down on.”

“Don’t tell me that man is you.”

“You guessed right, but there’s no prize.” Zhang Tianfeng stood up and looked down at Xu Maocai. “I’m Zhang Tianfeng, the owner of Blue Square Toy Factory.”

“In Tangwan Town for just one month, I took out the local black middleman and sent your cousin to prison for six years.”

“Those achievements should count for more than your spoiled second-generation life on your parents’ money, shouldn’t they?”

“Fine, I’m twisting this melon today! What are you going to do about it?” Xu Maocai glared at Zhang Tianfeng.

Tonight’s gathering had been set up for Gao Ran.

He had pursued this woman for a long time, ever since freshman year.

He had sent flowers and she refused them; he had given gifts and she politely declined. Xu Maocai, who had boasted in front of his friends, lost all face and was laughed at for an entire summer vacation.

As soon as sophomore year began, he launched a new offensive: first bribing Gao Ran’s best friends, then setting the party at a KTV owned by one of his friends. All of it was for one purpose—to win Gao Ran over.

She did not want to? Then he would take her.

At worst, he could pay a little afterward. He had done this sort of thing before.

“There is only one thing I can do,” Zhang Tianfeng said.

As soon as he finished speaking, he clenched his fist and slammed it into Xu Maocai’s face.

After years of hard farm work, Zhang Tianfeng’s strength was not something Xu Maocai—his body hollowed out by drink and indulgence—could withstand.

One blow sent Xu Maocai crying out in pain as he clutched his face and fell to the ground. The five boys behind him saw it and immediately rushed forward.

“Gao Ran, get out first. I’ll hold them off!”

With that, Zhang Tianfeng lunged straight at them and knocked four of the men backward in a single charge.

This time, Gao Ran did not do anything foolish. Zhang Tianfeng could handle two people, but against five he would be the one getting beaten. If she stayed, things would only become worse.

What she needed to do now was go outside and get help, then call up the man her father had sent to protect her.

As soon as she opened the door, Gao Ran saw a burly man standing at the entrance.

It was Xiang Chen.

“Boss, do you need a bodyguard?”

Zhang Tianfeng turned back, grinned, and said, “Yes. Just make sure you protect my girlfriend.”