Inside, the machines stood silent and stil, their metal bodies covered in dust and cobwebs. The conveyor belts, once buzzing with activity, now hung limp and lifeless, like empty vines. The walls had scarred and burnt marks, a story of something that had gone wrong, a tragedy that had befallen the factory and its workers.
Nature was slowly reclaiming the space, with vines and shrubs growing up the walls and through the broken windows. The factory seemed to be slipping back into the earth, its history and everything within it.
"It has a rich heritage but it’s basically perfect for anything.."
Tang Xue Mei nodded it was big enough to put anything in it.
"Great I’m really happy I found this place.."
"Well then we should be heading back. There nothing much we can do now.."
Tang Xue Mei nodded as they turned back to leave the building. Wearing only sandals Tang Xue Mei could feel the grass on her feet as she walked which made her uneasy.
But suddenly, a slimy body wrapped around her leg, its translucent flesh glistening in the sun. She tried to shake it off, but it held tight, sending a chill down her spine. Tang Xue Mei’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios as the slimy creature tightened its grip, making her skin crawl. She was frozen in terror, unsure of what to do next.
"Boss whatever you do don’t move and don’t look down.."
Hearing Ming Beicheng’s words Tang Xue Mei’s couldn’t control herself and looked down.
She immediately felt nauseous when she saw the snake wrap around her leg.
"Ming Beicheng I want to throw up get this thing away from me right now!"
Tang Xue Mei covered her mouth as waves of nausea washed over.
Ming Beicheng nodded and walked towards Tang Xue Mei, he held the snake by the head and drew it away from her leg.
Tang Xue Mei immediately rushed to cover and retched, it took her five whole minutes to calm down.
"How could casually pick up a snake like it’s no big deal?"
Tang Xue Mei asked seeing Ming Beicheng in a new light.
"That’s because I’ve done it before you’re not really scared of something you’ve done before."
Tang Xue Mei nodded she guessed he was right but nevertheless she didn’t want to spend another second in this place and quickly rushed out!
"Should we tell her?"
Song Dae-Ju asked with a small smile when Ming Beicheng held the snake he had realized it was just a vine he was sure Ming Beicheng did too but Tang Xue Mei on the other hand..
"Let’s save her the embarrassment.."
Ming Beicheng chuckled and walked back to the car.
"The place is at the outskirts of the capital so not too far from here..right Song Dae-Ju?"
Song Dae-Ju nodded and increased his speed.
**************
"All of you line up! You have buyer coming today if you’re good one or two of you might be bought. And then I’ll have less mouth to feed.."
More than 20 men stood at a large front yard. Their physique and aura made them different from normal men.
"And You An Yu...stop slouching and stand straight. You’re the most talented one here and yet your rude attitude chases your buyers away.."
The brown haired 6ft3 man with a charming expression smiled as he gave the man a wink.
"If they want me to protect them then handling my bitchy attitude shouldn’t be a problem right.."
The man with a short statue grew even more annoyed.
"If they don’t buy you today, I’ll turn you to a maid..you asshole!"
These were the words Tang Xue Mei heard when they entered.
"My,my what a warm reception we have here.."
The short man immediately smiled and came to greet his guests.
"Mister Ming welcome and I see you have lovely lady beside you.."
The man smiled and reached for a handshake.
Ming Beicheng accepted and they quickly shook hands.
"This is my boss, she’s the one seeking a bodyguard.."
"Ah then I’ll make sure to find the best one for her.."
The man asked them to follow him and they walked back to the front of the men.
"Everyone strip! You must show your buyer how fit and agile you are"
The men wasted no time and began stripping.
"..."
"Ming Beicheng what is this?!"
"Sorry I did say their methods are a bit.."
Ming Beicheng raised his hand to cover Tang Xue Mei’s eyes. It was better if she didn’t see anything.
"Hey! Wait" Tang Xue managed to see one person fully dressed as she struggled to remove Ming Beicheng hand from her eyes.
"I’ve made my decision.."
"..."
"But you haven’t even seen anyone.."
"I have, I want the man that’s fully dressed .."
Ming Beicheng eyes roamed around searching for the man that was fully dressed and saw him standing at the corner.
"Why do you want him?"
"He preserves his dignity, he’s a bodyguard not a dog. Why must he do every word I say.."
An Yu raised a brow, well, this buyer just got a lot more interesting.
"An Yu! Come here it seems today is your lucky day. I hope you can keep this job or else you’ll be left to the streets.."
An Yu sneered as he strolled to where Tang Xue Mei and Ming Beicheng were.
"I didn’t know my buyer was still beautiful, I don’t mind stripping now.."
An Yu chuckled as he gave Tang Xue Mei a quick glance and his eyes resting on her stomach and the ring on her finger.
It seemed someone had already claimed this fine beauty.
"He might be rude but he’s the best one here and he only cost 5 million yuan"
"..."
"Are you trying to cheat us short man?"
"Certainly not miss, I would never cheat a beautiful lady like yourself.."
Tang Xue Mei gave An Yu a quick look was he really worth 5 million Yuan.
"Do you think I’m worth it?"