Zhong Yu sighed, a cloud of worry clouding her face. "Xue'er's school has been plagued by strange incidents lately. First, a man from the school's security office disappeared for two days. Just as everyone was about to call the police, he reappeared, safe and sound."
"Not long after, the chemistry teacher and the sports teacher from the junior high department also went missing. They were found in the restroom with no memory of what happened to them, their memories affected."
It was a siren. Duan Chen's expression immediately became serious, and he took out a small notebook to record the information.
"I didn't think much of it at first, since everyone who disappeared eventually returned. But then Xue'er's homeroom teacher vanished, and they're still missing. That's when I truly started to worry."
"I've heard the strange tales about 'Mirror City,' and I fear Xue'er might be in danger. I need someone truly powerful to protect Xue'er. I have a bad feeling about this... If it weren't for my impending college entrance exams, I really wouldn't want Xue'er to go back to school."
"Brother Duan Chen will definitely protect me," Mi Xue'er giggled. "Actually, Mom, the agent who saved me at the KTV today was Brother Duan Chen."
"So that's how it is," Zhong Yu realized with a dawning understanding. She frowned slightly and sighed, "The world is a dangerous place, Xue'er. Mom understands you want a normal life, but now you can see the wisdom in Mom getting you a bodyguard, can't you?"
Mi Xue'er nodded obediently, "Yes, Mom. I really do need a top-tier agent as my bodyguard."
Seeing her smile, Duan Chen couldn't help but find it amusing. Her little intentions were so transparent, he didn't even need telepathy to figure them out.
"Don't worry, I'll investigate what's happening at the school," Duan Chen closed his notebook with a slight smile. He solemnly handed the gift box containing the pearl necklace to Zhong Yu. "Let's settle the payment first. I'll take Mi Xue'er to school on Monday."
Zhong Yu was deeply grateful, holding Duan Chen's hands and entrusting her precious daughter to him. Mi Xue'er was practically singing with joy.
The transaction was smooth and pleasant. After deducting taxes and the website's commission, Duan Chen was left with five million yuan, a sum he'd never even dared to dream of. It was no different than winning the lottery.
"Oh, right. Among the teachers who went missing and then returned, were there any men?"
Mi Xue'er didn't know why Duan Chen was asking this, but she answered thoughtfully, "Actually, there was one. Mr. Liu from the adjacent class. He's quite young, very gentle, and quite popular with the female students."
"Did he have a scar on his chin?"
Duan Chen didn't hold out much hope and asked casually. To his surprise, Mi Xue'er nodded, even looking at him with admiration. "Brother Duan Chen, how did you know? That's amazing!"
A chill ran down Duan Chen's spine. He had a bad premonition.
...
Back home, Duan Chen quickly consolidated the information he had gathered. Among the suspicious individuals reported by the vagrant army, there was coincidentally a young male teacher. He might be the same person as Mi Xue'er's Mr. Liu.
Duan Chen contacted Xiao Li from the guild's logistics department, asking her to urgently retrieve the information on Mr. Liu from Middle School Three and his travel records for the past week. However, this would take time.
Suddenly, *bang!* The door was violently pushed open, and Gao Tiankai, his bandages askew, limped into the room.
"Whoa, Brother Chen, you're back pretty early today." Gao Tiankai placed a takeout meal on the table. The aroma of the sizzling meat was intoxicating, filling the entire room with the scent of food.
Drawn by the smell, Duan Chen put down his documents, grabbed two cans of beer, and joined Gao Tiankai for some skewers.
"I ran into Li Wei today. She's getting married soon," Duan Chen said calmly.
"To that bald old man? Damn it, what does that man have on you? What a brainless woman."
"Do you know who that old man is? He's the second-in-command of Zhong Corporation, Zhong Xingwen. Heh heh, he's old enough to be her father. The Li family has truly managed to curry favor with the powerful... However, Zhong Xingwen has a strange, evil aura about him. I've never seen anything like it before," Duan Chen said, taking a large bite of lamb.
Gao Tiankai fell silent for a moment, not responding. After a couple of skewers, he suddenly changed the subject.
"Oh, by the way, have you found a temporary partner yet?"
"Oh, Old Zhang found me a temporary worker."
"Temporary worker? I've never heard of our guild having temporary workers. They should at least be a spirit hunter. It would be a rip-off if Old Zhang found you a regular person."
"His name is Wu Suowei. He's a delivery driver," Duan Chen said with a smile.
Gao Tiankai's eyelids twitched, a subtle glimmer in his eyes, and the movement of his mouth as he chewed a skewer was barely perceptible. Duan Chen, however, did not miss this subtle reaction.
"What? Do you know Wu Suowei?"
"No, I don't," Gao Tiankai chuckled. "What irresponsible parents would name their child like that?"
The beer bottles clinked. Both men seemed to have something on their minds.
*Crack!*
*Rumble!*
A flash of lightning split the night sky, followed by thunder. A fierce wind howled, and rain poured down like broken strings of pearls.
Gao Tiankai suddenly said, "I'm leaving after this meal. Thanks for taking care of me these past few days."
"What the heck, so sentimental. What are you thanking me for, bro?" Duan Chen’s skin crawled. Gao Tiankai burst into laughter, but then he winced in pain as he moved his injured arm.
Duan Chen's intuition told him that Gao Tiankai was hiding something. But as brothers, they had an agreement: Duan Chen was not allowed to pry into his heart. At this moment, Duan Chen chose to respect that pact.
............
Two days later, early in the morning.
Duan Chen arrived as agreed at the garden villa where Mi Xue'er lived. The gatekeeper took a second glance at his Corolla, so out of place among the luxury cars frequenting the villa area. The villa was grand and imposing, with high fences entwined with alluring rose thorns. Expensive patio furniture was arranged in the spacious courtyard, and the sunlight slanted down, casting dappled shadows that highlighted the opulence of the grounds. The main building was like a royal manor, with magnificent design and gleaming golden decorations, further emphasizing the wealth of its owner. The gray Corolla parked at its entrance seemed even more dull and unremarkable.
"Time to get a supercar," Duan Chen mused, leaning against his car with cool sunglasses on, contemplating whether to get a Maserati or a Lamborghini. He was now a nouveau riche with over six million yuan.
Just then, two figures emerged from the garden villa. A man and a woman, arm in arm, exhibiting an intimate demeanor.
Zhong Xingwen frowned, casting a displeased glance at the Corolla. "This piece of junk can park at my Zhong family villa? It's an insult to the Zhong family's reputation."
Li Wei's eyes widened in surprise when she saw the person by the car. "Duan Chen? What are you doing here? Are you... looking for me?"
Duan Chen looked up and greeted her with a smile, "Yo, what a coincidence." Li Wei's heart skipped a beat at his smile. After all, in terms of looks and physique, Duan Chen was ten thousand times better than the old man beside her. If it weren't for her parents' strong disapproval back then, she would have considered spending her life with him.
Zhong Xingwen's frown deepened. "Damn it, you again, you brat! You're not welcome here! Get lost, or I'll call security!"
Before Duan Chen could speak, a sharp voice rang out from the side—
"How dare you!!"
The main entrance of the building burst open, and Mi Xue'er, wearing a blue and white school uniform and carrying a backpack, walked out. Her youthful double ponytails bounced, her face meticulously made up, and a faint pink lipstick added to her lips.
"Uncle Zhong, what are you trying to do to my friend? Who is the owner here, and you seem to have forgotten, haven't you?" Mi Xue'er smiled sweetly, but her eyes were icy cold.