Courtyard House: I Have Countless Bodyguards

Watching He Yushui's retreating figure, Liu Jianguo's eyes turned cold.

Although Yi Zhonghai did not cause any substantial losses this time, it was like a toad jumping on your foot—it doesn't bite, but it's annoying. Hopefully, he'll be more sensible.

As he was thinking, he saw Qin Huairu come out of the kitchen after clearing away the dishes. He temporarily put aside his thoughts, a smile appeared on his face, and he went up to her and picked her up in his arms: "Don't bother cleaning up, come on, let me check if your skills have improved recently..." Without saying another word, he carried the exclaiming Qin Huairu towards the bedroom.

The next morning, Liu Jianguo arrived at the steel rolling mill's security department feeling refreshed.

His first action was to go to the temporary interrogation room at the back to make sure that the seven enemy agents captured the previous night were still being held in good order and that nothing had gone wrong.

He called Li Cheng to his side and whispered, "Keep your eyes peeled. Keep a close eye on them, don't let them out of your sight for a second. I reckon the city police will send people to take over in the next day or two. Before that, absolutely no mistakes can happen, especially don't let them die, understand?"

Li Cheng straightened his chest and replied, "Don't worry, Director, I guarantee everything will be foolproof."

Liu Jianguo returned to the deputy director's office, had just made some tea, and hadn't even taken a couple of sips when the internal phone on the desk rang urgently.

Upon answering, it was a report from the sentry at the factory gate: "Reporting to Director Liu! A convoy from the Municipal Public Security Bureau has arrived, led by a director. They say they want to see you to complete the handover procedures."

Liu Jianguo understood immediately: They've arrived, and they're quite efficient. Just like last time, they came to ask for people early in the morning.

Liu Jianguo straightened his clothes and walked calmly to the factory gate.

Sure enough, it was Wu Liang, the director of the Security Investigation Division of the Political Department of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, an old acquaintance.

Liu Jianguo put on a warm smile and quickly stepped forward to shake hands: "Oh, Director Wu! It's you again, coming in person! You've worked so hard, and so early!"

Unexpectedly, Wu Liang's face this time lacked the seriousness of his previous businesslike demeanor. Instead, he wore a rather enthusiastic smile, firmly shaking Liu Jianguo's hand and saying, "Director Liu, you're too modest. You're now a well-known anti-espionage hero in our city's bureau system, and in such a short time, you've cracked two major enemy spy cases and captured so many people alive. It's remarkable, truly remarkable."

As soon as Wu Liang finished speaking, the door of a jeep at the back of the convoy opened, and a tall, well-fitting police officer jumped out of the vehicle.

Liu Jianguo looked closely and his heart skipped a beat: Good heavens, it's her? Tang Jingxian! What's she doing here?

What stunned everyone even more was that after Tang Jingxian got out of the car, her gaze locked onto Liu Jianguo, and she walked straight over, completely ignoring Wu Liang, who was of a higher rank, and her other colleagues from the municipal bureau.

She walked up to Liu Jianguo, and under the astonished gazes of Wu Liang and the others, a bright yet slightly shy smile bloomed on her usually aloof face at work. She called out in a clear and affectionate voice, "Brother Jianguo, we've come to pick you up."

The moment the voice calling out "Brother Jianguo" rang out, the scene fell silent.

Who doesn't know that Captain Tang of the Municipal Public Security Bureau's Investigation Division is a famously cold beauty?

Normally, she treats her superiors and colleagues with a serious and businesslike attitude. I have never seen her show such a girlish demeanor to anyone, especially to a cadre from a brother unit.

Wu Liang's smile froze slightly, his eyes darting back and forth between Liu Jianguo and Tang Jingxian, a hint of surprise and amusement flashing across his face. This Director Liu is quite capable!

Wu Liang stood to the side, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Liu Jianguo and Tang Jingxian, a knowing smile on his face.

Tang Jingxian, the famous ice queen of the Municipal Bureau, revealed such a girlish demeanor in front of Liu Jianguo at this moment. Her way of calling him "Brother Jianguo" was so sweet and natural. There must be a story behind this!

He had a smile on his lips, but wisely refrained from pointing it out, instead crossing his arms and looking on with amusement.

Liu Jianguo was fully aware of Wu Liang's gossipy gaze, but pretended not to notice. He nodded slightly to Tang Jingxian with a calm expression and replied in a peaceful tone:

"Comrade Jingxian, you've arrived too."

He immediately stopped exchanging pleasantries and turned his attention to business, meticulously handling the handover procedures for prisoners and equipment with Director Wu Liang.

The entire process of counting heads, verifying lists, and signing documents was efficient and rigorous, demonstrating his capable style.

After the formalities were completed, Wu Liang led the main force and prisoners away first, leaving only Tang Jingxian, the jeep she had arrived in, and the driver.

After the outsiders left, Tang Jingxian immediately stepped forward, looked up at Liu Jianguo, her eyes filled with expectation and an air of undeniable authority:

"Brother Jianguo, we really owe you a lot this time. My parents were terrified when they found out about this, and they insisted on having a small banquet at home to thank you in person as their savior. You absolutely have to."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jianguo smiled slightly helplessly, waved his hand, and spoke with a casual, elder brotherly tone:

"Look at you, still putting on this act with me. You're being too formal. It's only right that I help you. Besides, which police officer wouldn't ignore this kind of situation? I treat you like my own sister, and you're still being so formal. You're not even going to have a meal with me. Do you think calling me 'brother' is just for nothing?"

He spoke in a half-truth, both to build rapport and to downplay the nature of the matter as sibling affection and work duties.

Tang Jingxian, however, didn't take his bait. She stamped her foot slightly and insisted in a slightly coquettish tone:

"No way! I already assured my dad I could get you to come. He's a very principled man; if you don't go, he'll definitely come to the factory to ask you himself. Brother Jianguo, please do me a favor, okay?"

Her words, though seemingly gentle, were actually quite firm, directly bringing up her father and leaving Liu Jianguo no room to refuse further.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse any longer, and that insisting would only seem pretentious, Liu Jianguo readily agreed.

"Alright, alright, I can't refuse you. Which day exactly?"

"Tomorrow, tomorrow evening after get off work. I'll pick you up, it's a deal."

Fearing he might change his mind, Tang Jingxian quickly set a time, a bright smile spreading across her face.

After saying that, without waiting for Liu Jianguo to speak again, he quickly said, "See you tomorrow, Brother Jianguo!"

Tang Jingxian then turned around and nimbly climbed into the jeep she had just entered, urging the driver to quickly drive away from the steel mill, leaving behind a wisp of smoke and Liu Jianguo standing there shaking his head and laughing.

Liu Jianguo watched the jeep drive away and smiled. He was indifferent to the invitation to the family dinner. Going would not hurt, as it would be a good opportunity to get to know Director Tang better.

He turned and walked back, and before he had gone far, he ran into Li Huaide, the deputy factory director in charge of logistics. Liu Jianguo stepped forward to greet him, and casually asked in a low voice, "Old Li, is there any progress on that matter I mentioned to you last time?"