Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Liu Jianguo understood, and nodded solemnly: "Director Tang, I understand."

The game continued, and Tang Yongsheng seemingly casually changed the subject again:

"Oh, right, there's another official matter. Recently, an enemy agent went to Baoding, and we discovered some clues about enemy activities. We need the Municipal Bureau to send someone over to coordinate with the local Public Security Bureau for a joint investigation. I've been thinking about it, and since you've just taken over the branch office, you also need to familiarize yourself with the situation there. So, I'll have you lead the team this time."

"Yes, Director Tang. When do we depart?"

"Tomorrow. Let's go early and figure it out sooner."

Tang Yongsheng ate one of Liu Jianguo's cars and continued:

"Also, there's a personal matter I can help with. The daughter of one of my former superiors works at the Baoding Agricultural Repair and Manufacturing Plant. Her name is Wang Mengzhu, and she's the head of the plant's publicity department. Recently, she seems to be being harassed by some shady characters in the area. It's not easy for a young woman like her. If the situation allows, could you please help her out during your visit? I'll have the office send the paperwork to the steel rolling mill and your branch office."

"Yes, Director Tang, I've got it."

Liu Jianguo agreed verbally, but he knew perfectly well that capturing enemy agents was probably only part of the mission, or rather, a side task. What Director Tang really cared about was getting him to solve Wang Mengzhu's problem. This was a task he couldn't refuse.

The meal ended in a slightly subtle but superficially harmonious atmosphere.

Liu Jianguo knew that the main purpose of his visit today was to make an appearance and show that he and Jingxian were dating.

As for proposing marriage, the time is far from ripe, and making a hasty proposal would only backfire.

After sitting for a while and drinking a cup of tea, Liu Jianguo got up to take his leave.

"Director Tang, Auntie, it's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer. I have to go on a business trip tomorrow."

Sun Hongning tried to persuade her to stay, Tang Jingxian looked on with reluctance, while Tang Yongsheng simply nodded: "Okay, be careful on your business trip."

Liu Jianguo left the Tang family with Tang Jingxian seeing him off.

As soon as Liu Jianguo left, the atmosphere in the Tang family's living room instantly shifted from welcoming the prospective son-in-law to a three-way interrogation.

Sun Hongning sat down next to her daughter, her expression turning serious: "Jingxian, now that there are no outsiders, tell your mother the truth, what exactly is going on between you and Jianguo, and how far things have progressed?"

Tang Yongsheng lit a cigarette, leaned back on the sofa, and stared intently at his daughter.

Tang Jingxian felt a little uneasy under her parents' gazes, fidgeted for a moment, and whispered, "It's...it's what you saw..."

Sun Hongning sighed, her tone softening somewhat:

"To be fair, Jianguo is a really good kid. He's young and promising, holds a high position, has a decent appearance and character, and you can tell he cares about you. I'm quite satisfied with him."

Upon hearing this, Tang Jingxian's face immediately brightened, revealing a smile. But at this moment, Tang Yongsheng coughed heavily, pouring cold water on her enthusiasm: "You're satisfied, but I'm not so satisfied."

He looked at his daughter, his gaze deep: "Jingxian, don't be so happy. To tell you the truth, I've had someone investigate Liu Jianguo."

"Dad! How could you do this!"

Tang Jingxian immediately became anxious upon hearing this, "He's your colleague, how could you investigate him privately?"

"Shut up! Let me finish what I have to say!"

Tang Yongsheng rarely lost his temper with his daughter, speaking sternly, "The investigation results make me very uneasy! He runs the steel rolling mill like a rock, and almost everyone in the security department, from top to bottom, is someone he promoted. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it's his Liu family army."

That's not all. We suspect that he might be behind several sizable black markets in the city.

This guy is a real handful! It's only because he seems clear-headed on important matters and hasn't done anything to harm the country that we haven't seen him do so yet; otherwise, based on that alone, he wouldn't be able to keep his position as deputy director.

He paused, glanced at his pale-faced daughter, and dropped another bombshell: "And then there's his private life. There's a woman named Qin Huairu in the steel mill's publicity department who goes to his east wing almost every day."

To Tang Yongsheng's surprise, Tang Jingxian did not show shock or anger. Instead, she was unusually calm, even with a hint of resignation.

"I know her, Qin Huairu. Brother Jianguo lives alone, and there's no woman to tidy up the yard. Sister Qin was arranged by the factory to help him with housework and cooking."

This statement is less of an explanation and more of a weak and feeble cover-up.

Upon hearing this, Sun Hongning's expression changed completely. She grabbed her daughter's hand, her voice filled with anxiety:

"Jingxian, did you hear that? This Liu Jianguo has a very complicated background, and he has issues with his lifestyle. This is no small matter. You should think it over carefully. There are plenty of good men in the world, why bother with him..."

"Mom! Stop talking!"

Tang Jingxian abruptly shook off her mother's hand, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling with a sob and a resolute tone:

"I know everything about him, you don't need to remind me. But I... I've made up my mind about him, and I'm going to marry him."

Seeing their daughter's unyielding and determined expression, Tang Yongsheng and Sun Hongning exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and worry in each other's eyes.

Forcibly stopping her wouldn't work; it would only provoke her rebellious streak. Tang Yongsheng stubbed out his cigarette, sighed, and softened his tone, adopting a delaying tactic:

"Alright, stop arguing. You've only just started talking, why are you getting so impulsive? Jian Guo is going on a business trip to Baoding tomorrow, so take this time to calm down and think it over. If you still have the same idea when he gets back, then... we'll see."

Sun Hongning quickly chimed in, "Yes, Jingxian, listen to your dad, calm down first."

They knew that for now they could only delay, hoping that time and distance would bring their daughter, who was blinded by love, back to her senses.

However, they also know that this is probably just wishful thinking.

This promising young woman from the Tang family is about to be swept away by Liu Jianguo's corrupt practices.

When I returned from the Tang family home, the courtyard was already quiet and deserted late at night.

Liu Jianguo lay alone on the bed in the east wing. He did not fall asleep immediately, but instead went through his conversation with Tang Yongsheng that night, the upcoming trip to Baoding, and Tang Jingxian's work arrangements in his mind. He sorted out his thoughts, clarified the priorities for the next day's work, and then fell into a deep sleep.

The following morning, Liu Jianguo arrived at the Dongcheng Branch Bureau in high spirits and went straight into his office as the executive deputy director.

He knew that this trip to Baoding, which seemed to be a routine investigation, was actually related to Director Tang's private request, and he had to choose a capable and reliable helper.

He sat down behind his desk, picked up a detailed roster of personnel from the Investigation Department that had been delivered by the Internal Affairs Department, and began to carefully review it.

As I glanced at the roster, two familiar names caught my eye: Liu Jiefang, deputy captain of the Second Investigation Brigade, and Wang Weiguo, deputy captain of the Third Investigation Brigade.

A slight smile appeared on Liu Jianguo's lips. These two were among the earliest loyal followers of his, having distinguished themselves in the steel mill's security department; they were considered veterans.

After being transferred to the branch office's investigation section, in order to avoid suspicion and make arrangements in secret, I consciously let them take a break for a period of time, allowing them to establish themselves in the investigation section based on their own abilities.

It seems to be working well; they've all been promoted to vice-captain. It's time to reinstate them and train them alongside us.