"Twenty-four hours a day, never more than five meters apart. There’s plenty of opportunity everywhere, it’s all about how you want to seize it."
Tang Xiaohua’s elegant brows furrowed,
"Sir, please stop making these pointless jokes."
"Do you think I’m joking?"
"The whole twenty-four-hour close protection is clearly something you just conjured up to mess with me. I came here on military orders to protect your safety, not to be toyed with at your whim."
Tang Xiaohua’s expression was serious.
Wen Nian remained leaning back in his chair, his upper body swaying with the leather seat. For a moment, his gaze softened as he looked at her...
"If you have nothing else, Sir, I’ll take my leave now."
The rocking of the leather chair halted. Wen Nian pressed a speed dial button on the desk phone, and soon, a familiar voice came through,
"Police Department’s Long Siyan here. Sir, what can I do for you?"
Tang Xiaohua watched Wen Nian cautiously.
She was already regretting showing that trace of defiance in front of Wen Nian. She shouldn’t have let past events affect her judgment; he was Wen Nian, the President, the person she was ordered to protect, nothing more, nothing less!
"A week from now, Tang Xiaohua will take on the role of my personal bodyguard. Minister Long, please explain to her what close protection entails, what to do, and how it should be done."
Long Siyan on the other end of the phone was clearly taken aback before responding,
"Sir, even though there are no issues with Tang Xiaohua’s background check, based on what she said to you this afternoon, I don’t think she’s suitable for the role of personal bodyguard."
The speakerphone was on, and Long Siyan’s words were crystal clear to Tang Xiaohua, her heart tensing. There really was a role as the "personal bodyguard."
Wen Nian glanced at Tang Xiaohua.
Long Siyan continued,
"I will select a more appropriate candidate for you, Sir."
"That won’t be necessary, Minister Long. She’ll do."
"If you think she’s unsuitable, then this one week should give you enough time to train her to be appropriate."
Wen Nian then ended the call.
Looking back at Tang Xiaohua, she clenched her fists at her sides.
"Do you still think this position is something I made up just to mess with you?"
"Sir, Minister Long is right, I’m not suitable."
Wen Nian stood up and walked over to Tang Xiaohua. "Are you afraid of me?"
"I’m not afraid of anything about you."
"You’re afraid I’ll enter your heart again."
Tang Xiaohua took a deep breath and after a long while, she slightly curled her lips. "Sir, you really are delusional in your confidence."
"Am I? Did I get it wrong?"
"I have no idea what you’re talking about! Please remember, Sir, I am Tang Xiaohua!"
"Yes, you are Tang Xiaohua. I’ve heard Tang Xiaohua has the delicate face of a gentlewoman, yet harbors ambitions that run deeper than they appear. You just said protecting the President is a prime opportunity for officers. Distinguished service in guarding the President gets you promoted faster than risking your life on the battlefield."
Wen Nian, hands in his suit pockets, looked at her leisurely,
"Close bodyguard, being in the President’s presence twenty-four hours a day, there are opportunities for you to shine everywhere. Why are you reluctant now?"
"Who said I was reluctant! I’d love to be your personal bodyguard, so you spend every minute of every hour, around the clock, on tenterhooks!"
Tang Xiaohua retorted forcefully!
"I’m looking forward to it."
Tang Xiaohua turned and headed for the door. As she pulled it open, Qu Yu was there outside, their eyes meeting,