Volume One: High School Days Chapter 72: A Task for You

During the idle two months that lay ahead, Liu Sheng would attend classes one day, then skip the next, continuing in this fashion until a certain day in November.

It was on that day that an uninvited guest arrived, shattering the calm of Liu Sheng’s life.

“Knock, knock, knock…” The sound at the door roused Ren Xiadong from his nap. He shuffled to the entrance and opened the door, squinting at the man standing there. “You look familiar… Oh, I remember now, you’re the butler Jin’s bodyguard.”

The visitor was indeed the chief bodyguard. Without preamble, he asked for Liu Sheng’s whereabouts. Ren Xiadong pointed upstairs and said, “He’s still sleeping. Come in, I’ll go get him.”

When Liu Sheng came downstairs and saw the chief bodyguard, he greeted him warmly, shaking his hand. “What wind blows you here? If I’m not mistaken, you’re one of Butler Jin’s bodyguards. May I ask your name?”

“I don’t have a name, only a code. My code is One.”

Hearing this, Liu Sheng invited him to sit in the living room. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I can’t call you ‘One’, can I? From now on, I’ll just call you Big Brother.”

Liu Sheng had heard from Butler Jin that all the bodyguards were former mercenaries, men who had crawled out of heaps of corpses, each capable of protecting himself and others. Liu Sheng wanted to get closer to him, for not only would having such a man around guarantee his safety, but it would also lend him an air of distinction. After all, a professional bodyguard at one’s side was quite a status symbol.

The bodyguard didn’t mind this new moniker and got straight to the point. “Master Hu has a matter and would like to ask for your help.”

When Liu Sheng heard that Master Hu wanted his assistance, he was visibly flattered. Who was Master Hu! For him to ask for help, and to do so politely, was proof of the esteem in which he held Liu Sheng. Hastily, Liu Sheng replied, “Don’t say one thing—if it’s a thousand things, I’ll do my utmost to serve!”

He pressed further, “So, Big Brother, what does Master Hu need me to do?”

The bodyguard began, “Your understanding of Huayong Group is only superficial. Listen carefully.”

From the bodyguard’s words, Liu Sheng learned that people said Huayong Group not only monopolized half the world’s business, but also controlled global economic development. Of course, that referred to large corporations and publicly listed companies; Liu Sheng’s own animation company was so insignificant it didn’t even register on Huayong’s radar, nor did it fall under their jurisdiction.

Huayong wasn’t just running its own business but also acted as a check and balance among other enterprises, governing them so that they wouldn’t engage in underhanded strife, insisting they abide by the peace treaties Huayong established. In essence, Huayong Group was the administrator of all major enterprises worldwide, holding the power of life and death over corporations.

But from the bodyguard, Liu Sheng learned that Huayong didn’t actually control half the world’s business—only a tenth, though that still put them in first place. The second-ranked company only held one percent, so the gap was immense. Many enterprises, seeking their own development, would claim to outsiders that they were branches of Huayong.

All the major corporations and listed companies worldwide were wary of Huayong’s power, so they willingly accepted its oversight. Their leaders all obeyed Master Hu and the whole Huayong Group.

Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong were left utterly bewildered, especially by the fact that such a mighty organization would seek their help.

Just as Liu Sheng was about to voice his confusion, the bodyguard interrupted him. “Recently, there’s been something strange in Chong City. Several real estate companies have gone bankrupt for no apparent reason. Later, we learned it was connected to the largest local developer, Aochuang Real Estate, and may even involve Huayong’s own Meyer Film Company. But there’s no concrete evidence, and we dare not intervene rashly for fear of alerting the enemy, especially since our own business is involved.”

“What can I do?” Liu Sheng asked again, feeling entirely out of his depth.

The bodyguard continued at length.

Master Hu suspected someone was expanding their own power in defiance of Huayong’s peace treaties, sabotaging other companies for personal gain—something strictly forbidden. Lacking proof, he wanted Liu Sheng to investigate secretly. Master Hu also suspected there might be other rogue enterprises at work, so he hoped to expose all the conspirators in one sweep. The reason he wanted Liu Sheng in particular was that he was a new face, unlikely to draw attention.

Now Liu Sheng understood his role. “I see. Master Hu means that if our own people go, Meyer Film Company will recognize them; he can’t trust outsiders. So I’m the best candidate.”

The bodyguard smiled. “You really are sharp. All you need to do is find out the truth and identify the companies involved. Report your findings to Master Hu. Leave the rest to us.”

He paused and added, “Honestly, this is a small matter for Huayong. The real reason you’ve been chosen is that Master Hu is testing you—or perhaps giving you a chance to make a name for yourself.”

Liu Sheng was inwardly ecstatic. “Damn! I might not understand everything, but one thing is clear: I’m now the administrator of global enterprises! An undercover agent! Undercover… Wait, undercover?”

He quickly asked, “So I’m to be an undercover agent?”

The bodyguard nodded. “Everything’s arranged. You’ll be working at Meyer Film Company, investigating whether its boss is connected to Aochuang Real Estate’s boss. But you’ll have to pass the interview first, Mr. CEO of Liuyao World Animation!”

Liu Sheng was taken aback. He wanted to ask how the bodyguard knew he owned Liuyao World Animation, but on second thought, with Huayong’s reach, nothing was beyond their knowledge.

Still, Liu Sheng insisted, “I want to bring Ren Xiadong!”

Ren Xiadong immediately protested, “I’m not going. I don’t even want to go to school, let alone work!”

Liu Sheng, reminded of their studies, turned to the bodyguard. “Right, we have classes! We need to get into university!”

The bodyguard replied, “Take a leave of absence. As for university, just name whichever one you want. For Huayong, it’s as easy as saying the word.”

Since the bodyguard had already taken care of their future, Liu Sheng didn’t argue. He turned to Ren Xiadong and said, “If you want to go to university, come with me!”

Then to the bodyguard, “We want to go to Chong City University!”

The bodyguard answered directly, “Your resumes will be sent to Meyer Film Company this afternoon. If all goes well, you’ll have interviews tomorrow at nine. All matters regarding your current school and university admission will be handled today. Next year, when the freshman term starts, you can report straight to campus.”

Before leaving, the bodyguard handed Liu Sheng a gold card with a single “Hu” character on the front and Master Hu’s fingerprint on the back, for verification. As he was leaving, he asked, “By the way, how did you manage to send all those people flying that day?”

Liu Sheng knew what he was referring to, but under no circumstances could he reveal his abilities. So he said, “The ground was uneven—they tripped.”

Even Liu Sheng found this excuse laughable. The bodyguard saw his reluctance to explain and, as he walked out, called back, “Let’s spar sometime. I’d love to see what you’ve got!”

After the bodyguard left, Liu Sheng muttered to himself, “Be careful, or I’ll knock your teeth out!”

At that moment, Ren Xiadong was still grumbling about not wanting to work, but Liu Sheng paid him no mind. He booked plane tickets for three that afternoon and began packing. He also called Fang Po, who, upon hearing Liu Sheng was coming to Chong City, invited them to dinner that night.

At one o’clock, Liu Sheng practically dragged the unwilling Ren Xiadong out the door, hailed a cab, and headed for the airport.

Throughout the two-hour flight, Ren Xiadong complained non-stop. Liu Sheng put on his headphones and said, “Go on, say whatever you want! I can’t hear you! We’ve already taken off, so unless you want to parachute out, there’s nothing you can do!”

When they landed at five, Liu Sheng called Fang Po, who said he was already waiting outside the airport to pick them up.

As Liu Sheng exited the airport, he glanced at the police car behind Fang Po and then at the crowd emerging from the terminal. He hesitated—should he get in or not? To onlookers, it might look like they’d just been arrested straight off the plane.

Seeing their reluctance, Fang Po forcefully herded them into the car, saying, “Come on, you two are so slow! I’ve prepared a room and dinner for you, it’s all free—what are you waiting for?”

Fang Po intended for them to stay at his place that night; his wife had prepared a meal for them. There was nothing wrong with what he said, but to bystanders, the sight of a policeman shoving two people into a police car while promising free room and board was highly suspicious.

The confused onlookers all whipped out their phones to snap photos and videos. Seated in the police car, Liu Sheng and Ren Xiadong hastily covered their faces, which only made everyone more convinced that they were criminals.

“Oh no! My reputation! Fang Po, why did you bring a police car?” Liu Sheng groaned, covering his face.

Fang Po was unfazed, replying earnestly, “It’s for your own good! Getting picked up at the airport by a police car is impressive. People will think you’re some big shots!”

In the back seat, Ren Xiadong could only laugh wryly, complaining, “I’ve never bowed to anyone in my life. Even drunk, I only lean on walls! But after today, Brother Fang, you’re the man I respect most. Your mind works in ways no one else’s does!”

Fang Po understood and quickly explained, “I get what you mean. I took a case and didn’t have time to switch cars, so this is how it is. Don’t blame your brother.”

Seeing that Fang Po was in plain clothes and recalling his mention of a new case, Liu Sheng teased, “Congratulations on your promotion!”

“With that mind of his, get promoted?” Ren Xiadong grumbled again.

Liu Sheng slapped Ren Xiadong’s thigh. “Is that how you talk to Officer Fang? He’s handling big cases now, which means he’s no ordinary cop!”

Fang Po chuckled and met Liu Sheng’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “Liu Sheng, you really are a clever one.”

Later, Liu Sheng learned from Fang Po that because of his involvement in Liu Sheng’s previous incident, and with solid evidence in hand, Fang Po had performed a great service. His efficient and decisive work had earned him a promotion to the Major Cases Unit, specializing in solving major crimes.