"Big Brother Ling, I… I decided to follow my mom and go out to work so that I can earn some money to treat my father's illness."
Tang Shiyun quietly and firmly said.
"No way, you managed to get into university after so long, how could you give up so easily? If you miss this opportunity, don't tell me that you want to be a worthless person like myself?"
"But I..."
"Alright, that's enough. Isn't it just an issue of money, I'll think of something."
Ling Chen confidently assumed responsibility for her financial problem. He had been an orphan since young, so he placed a lot of importance on his friends. As long as it was someone that he acknowledged as his friend, whenever something happened, he would not just stand there and watch without helping.
Moreover, his monthly remuneration was thirteen thousand dollars and was sufficient to send Tang Shiyun to college.
"Big Brother Ling, it's fine. I don't want you to commit any illegal acts."
Tang Shiyun worriedly looked at him. She knew about Ling Chen's financial situation. He was much worse off than their family and she was afraid that he would commit crimes to fund her college fees.
Ling Chen was speechless, but thinking about it, he was not that surprised. After all, she knew that he had been fired by the courier company and was having trouble finding another job.
"Rest assured. I found a new job today, and it pays rather generously, more than ten thousand dollars monthly."
"Is that true?" Tang Shiyun still peered at him suspiciously.
Ling Chen nodded in response.
"Lass, you only need to concentrate on studying and not worry about anything else. If there are issues that you cannot resolve, then find me. Big Brother Ling will solve them for you."
"Alright. Thank you Big Brother Chen! When I start to earn money in the future, I'll definitely pay you back with interest!"
The next day.
Ling Chen roused himself from bed early in the morning, putting on the security guard uniform that was given to him yesterday and took a taxi straight to the Hongyu Multinational Headquarters.
When he stepped into the office, he saw that it was empty. Big Brother Wei must have brought his men to go patrol.
"You must be Ling Chen?"
He turned his head and saw a middle-aged man walking in, his face looked like it was set in stone. He seemed to be in his thirties, with a tanned face and well-defined facial contours, with sharp eyes and a sturdy, muscular frame.
Just glancing at him, Ling Chen could deduce that the identity of the man in front of him was not simple. He was not an ordinary soldier, but rather a cold-blooded elite who must have killed before.
"That's me. You are?"
"Zhong Wei."
"So it's Captain Zhong. Nice to meet you."
He had already heard from Wei Jun that the captain of the security team was called Zhong Wei.
Zhong Wei directed a contemplative stare at Ling Chen.
"Steward Liu said that you could fight well."
"I'm just average, nothing impressive to speak off." Ling Chen humbly replied.
"Come with me."
With that, Zhong Wei briskly walked out of the office.
Not long later, the two arrived at a gym on the first floor. The gym was exclusively reserved for Squad 1 members and was furnished with various types of gym equipment.
After Ling Chen entered, he saw that there were around eight members undergoing training in the gym. Every one of them had a thick and broad waist, giving off a feeling of strength. Compared to them, his body looked to be extremely skinny and weak.
Very quickly, his arrival attracted the attention of those training in the gym.
"Captain Zhong, is this the punk who came in through the backdoor, Ling Chen?"
Through the backdoor?
Ling Chen was dissatisfied with that comment. I was clearly invited to join the squad.
"To enter Squad 1, you must go through a rigorous and strict examination. However, since Steward Liu was the one who brought you in, you were exempted from that."
"However..." A sharp glint flashed through Zhong Wei's eyes, and he paused.
"Although you are exempted from the entrance examination, our internal test cannot be avoided. If your ability doesn't meet our minimum requirement, then I'll recommend the Chairman to demote you to Squad 2."
"What kind of test is this?"
Zhong Wei shot a glance at someone, and a sturdily built youth immediately walked into the training ground. He beckoned to Ling Chen using his index finger and smirked, the provocation written all over his face.
"As long as you can last two minutes under my assault, then you have the qualifications to remain in Squad 1."
The corners of Ling Chen's mouth lifted slightly. These bastards are giving me a show of force!
"Captain Zhong, can't you see that my build is small. You should at least pick someone with a similar build to mine else won't I suffer a loss?!"
Hearing his words, the mockery and ridicule in the audience's gazes instantly deepened.
Zhong Wei coldly said, "If you don't have even a bit of courage, then you should just go to Squad 2. Squad 1 does not need cowards."
"Brat, I'll give you a handicap of one hand."
"That's great!"
Ling Chen broke into a grin and briskly strolled onto the training ground.
"Liang Zhaohui, be gentle with your blows."
Zhong Wei gave a timely reminder. After all, this was someone that Liu Kun had recommended. If they inflicted severe injuries on Ling Chen, it would be hard for them to explain.
"Relax, Boss! I'll just play around with him and I won't hurt him. Come on brat, don't hold back, show me everything you got!"
"Then I'll be attacking."
"Come!"
Ling Chen moved forward by two steps and nervously fiddled with his hands.
"I'm really attacking now."
Liang Zhaohui impatiently grumbled. "Why are you so full of crap? If you want to attack, then just do… Hmm?"
Before he could even complete his sentence, his pupils dilated, and he saw a leg ferociously lashing out towards him, coming at him at an insanely fast speed. He didn't have enough time to even react and felt a sharp, piercing pain in his abdomen. His entire body collapsed onto the ground.
HISS!
The onlookers all drew in a breath with astonishment.
Shameless! This punk is too shameless!
Even though he clearly possessed superior skills, he still acted so meekly, deceiving all of them.
Ling Chen casually walked over to Liang Zhaohui's convulsing figure and smilingly said, "My friend, you mustn't forget that no matter the circumstances, you should not let down your so guard easily. If I had been an enemy, then you would be dead already."
The onlookers were speechless. This was clearly meant to be a show of force to Ling Chen, yet the situation had been reversed. The punk had taught them a lesson instead.
"What Ling Chen said was right. You should not underestimate your opponent no matter what the circumstances are, else the price that you pay could very well be your life. Liang Zhaohui, as punishment, you can do 200 pushups. I hope you will engrave this lesson into your heart. Ling Chen, follow me to the office"
"Yes, Boss."
Back at the office, Ling Chen asked casually, "Captain Zhong, did I pass your test?"
"Ling Chen, this is your first day at work. Let me just give you two pieces of advice. First, I don't care how good your abilities are, you must heed my orders no matter what. Without rules, lawlessness will prevail. We are a team and we have no need for a member that wants to act as the hero. Second, only I have the authority to discipline the team; you are not qualified. Seeing that this is your first offence, I will turn a blind eye, but I hope that there won't be a second time."
"Yes, yes, I understand."
"Then you can return to the gym to familiarise yourself with the other members. Later, I'll assign your duties to you."
Walking back to the gym, Ling Chen warmly greeted everyone he passed by.
However, their attitudes were extremely cold towards him. All the members here were retired military men and there was a unique camaraderie between them. With the addition of a new member, it left them feeling a little out of sorts.
Ling Chen was nonchalant towards them however. To him, integrating into the team would naturally take some time.
Noticing that Liang Zhaohui was doing pushups, he spiritedly walked up him.
"Brother, I stepped out of line just now, don't take it to heart."
Despite his apology, Liang Zhaohui did not even turn to look at him, seeming like he had not heard Ling Chen.
Ling Chen observed that the other party was ignoring him, he did not want to waste any more futile effort and leisurely took a seat to one side, starting to game happily.
"Playing phone games during office hours. The punishment is a thousand dollars."