Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

The boy, James, rushed over, his face beaming with undisguised excitement and curiosity.

His gaze first fell on Isabel's protruding belly, and his eyes widened instantly.

Filled with surprise, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but quickly realized the situation.

He held it back, but his eyes couldn't help but dart around again and again.

Then, his gaze turned to Liu Jianguo beside Isabel, and he looked him up and down.

Today, Liu Jianguo was dressed in a well-fitting dark Zhongshan suit. He stood tall and straight, with a calm expression, and his demeanor was completely different from the other passengers.

A thoughtful and knowing look flashed in James' eyes, then he gave a slightly mischievous but earnest smile.

He nodded slightly to Liu Jianguo and tentatively asked:

"You must be... Mr. Liu, right?"

I am James, Isabel and Emily's cousin.

Uh… should I call you… brother-in-law?

He spoke the last word with a hint of caution, yet with the straightforwardness and curiosity characteristic of a young person.

Liu Jianguo stepped forward steadily and extended his hand.

His hands were broad and thick, his fingers long and strong. His posture was neither overly enthusiastic nor hesitant, but as steady as a mountain rock.

"Hello, James. I'm Liu Jianguo."

James hurriedly reached out and grasped the boy's hand. The boy's fingers were long and slender, and his palm was slightly damp, clearly indicating that he was not as relaxed as he appeared.

"Hello Mr. Liu! I am James Cavendish."

His eyes gleamed with the curiosity and excitement typical of young people, and he spoke quickly as he continued:

"I heard about you from my cousin Isabel's letter, and of course... there was some discussion about it at home later."

To be honest, I was really shocked when I first learned about you and my cousin!

A hint of embarrassment flashed across his face, and realizing he had been too blunt, he quickly tried to smooth things over:

"But of course, these are not things I should inquire about."

I'm just here to pick you up as instructed by my family, and I'll also drive you around.

"The car's over there, shall we go now?"

James picked them up in a well-maintained but outdated dark green Bentley, its body gleaming dullly under the gloomy sky.

Liu Jianguo carefully helped Isabel into the back seat, and Emily followed.

The car smoothly drove out of the airport and merged into the traffic flow of the London suburbs.

Outside the window stretched a vast gray sky, neat hedges, and the occasional old building, but the atmosphere inside the car subtly contrasted with this tranquil British landscape.

James glanced at the back seat through the rearview mirror. Isabel was leaning against the window, looking out, her fingers unconsciously rubbing her abdomen, while Emily sat upright, her eyes wary.

He licked his dry lips, and finally couldn't help but lower his voice.

With the complex emotions unique to teenagers—both nervous and eager to share about "taboo" topics—he spoke:

"Cousin Isabel, to be honest, coming back now... well, in this situation might not be the most suitable time."

He glanced quickly at Liu Jianguo in the rearview mirror, then quickly looked away and continued:

"The whole family, especially my uncle and father, seems... quite angry. The atmosphere isn't good."

Liu Jianguo's voice came steadily from the back seat. It wasn't loud, but it had a peculiar penetrating power that instantly drowned out the engine's hum and dispelled the sticky atmosphere created by James's cautious probing.

"Now that things have come to this, avoiding the meeting would be a bad move."

His gaze fell on the blurry scenery rushing past the car window, his tone calm, yet his words clear and distinct, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, before he continued:

"If you're a man, you should be able to take responsibility for what you've done."

There's no way to avoid it, and there's no need to try.

He didn't give any impassioned speeches, but simply stated things in a straightforward manner, as if he were stating an irrefutable law of nature.

These words were not only directed at James, but also seemed to be a statement made to Isabel beside him, and to set the tone for everything that was about to be faced.

James tightened his grip on the steering wheel and quickly glanced at Liu Jianguo in the rearview mirror.

This time, his azure eyes held less of the curious probing and more of the straightforward admiration.

He freed his right hand and decisively raised a thumb towards the back row, his movement clean and efficient.

"That makes sense!"

His voice, brimming with the youthful passion that easily ignites, continued:

"Brother-in-law, that's a very straightforward thing to say!"

Perhaps Liu Jianguo's words made him relax a bit, or perhaps it was just his youthful nature, but James started talking non-stop.

While keeping an eye on the road conditions, he said in a light tone:

"Brother-in-law, you speak with such charm, like...like the ancient Chinese warriors described in books."

To be honest, I was fascinated by Chinese culture for a while.

I read "The Art of War" and even tried to learn Tai Chi, but...

He smiled somewhat sheepishly, shook his head, and continued:

"Those principles and techniques are too profound; I feel like I haven't even touched the door yet."

Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the Dao... just hearing about them makes my head spin.

"If you're interested, you can chat about it in your spare time."

Liu Jianguo tilted his head slightly, his gaze seemingly falling on the back of James's young neck. His tone softened somewhat, and he spoke with a sense of tolerance:

"What you learn from books is never enough. If you have the opportunity to visit the place in person in the future, you may gain a different understanding."

At that time, I will do my best to fulfill my duties as host.

These words, spoken casually, implied a promise.

James' eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly.

The car drove onto a quieter private road, flanked by tall, ancient trees with bare branches and leaves in the winter.

James seemed to remember something, and his tone suddenly became somewhat excited.

With the excitement of sharing "big news," he turned to another topic that interested him more, saying:

"By the way, cousin Isabel!"

As the Commissioner of Police in Hong Kong, you must have the best access to information!

Have you heard of that suddenly appearing "Eight Directions Alliance"?

It's been going viral in many underground circles lately!

I heard that this has caused quite a stir in Hong Kong as well?

After he finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the carriage.

Almost simultaneously, Isabelle and Emily glanced quickly at Liu Jianguo, who stood beside them with an extremely strange and indescribable expression.

There was surprise, speechlessness, absurdity, and a subtle awkwardness in his eyes, as if the person in question was right in front of him.

Isabel cleared her throat to steady herself before replying in a deliberately calm and businesslike tone:

"Yes, I know. It caused quite a stir, and in the end... I stepped in to temporarily stabilize the situation."

According to our information, over 70% of small and medium-sized community organizations in Hong Kong submitted invitations.

And the recently prominent "Dragon Rising Gang" has also sent people to make contact and express their interest.

"Wow! You really suppressed it? Cousin, you're amazing!"