At the stroke of seven in the evening,
On the city's southern outskirts, a Bentley stood stationary by the roadside. This area was devoid of towering skyscrapers, featuring only modest low-rise structures.
The roads here were not the expansive, well-lit avenues found elsewhere but rather constricted passageways.
The locale lacked comprehensive public amenities, offering only the most basic utilities, characteristic of a deeply embedded slum within the urban sprawl.
Xue Li surveyed the grimy, rundown streets of the shantytown with bewilderment, pondering the rationale behind his young master's decision to seek out an individual in such a locale.
As a bodyguard, Xue Li was not inclined to idle chatter. Without an explanation from Lu Yu, he refrained from inquiring.
Guided by previously gathered information, Xue Li briskly escorted Lu Yu to the base of a decrepit building.
The structure's diminutive stature and the squalid, cramped corridors exuded an air of despondency. Advertisements for locksmiths and plumbing services were plastered ubiquitously.
Unperturbed, Lu Yu trailed behind Xue Li as they ascended the stairs.
Knock! knock!
Upon reaching the fourth floor, Xue Li knocked on the left-hand door and stepped aside, allowing Lu Yu to straighten his attire.
"Who is it?" inquired a soft female voice, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps.
The woman peered through the peephole but did not open the door.
"Good evening, I am here to see Wei Jianjun," Lu Yu greeted courteously.
The mention of the name prompted a hint of caution from the woman: "Jianjun, someone is here for you."
"Coming right up!" responded a gruff male voice, followed by the sound of hastening steps.
With a click, the door swung open, revealing a dark-complexioned, muscular man towering half a head above Lu Yu, who stood at 180 centimeters.
Sporting a cropped hairstyle and a face reminiscent of the characters etched in Chinese calligraphy, he was clad in a green, form-fitting tank top paired with blue and white camouflage trousers.
His physique was a testament to strength, with pronounced pectorals, defined abs, and bulging biceps. Merely standing there, he exuded an aura of raw power.
His visage was rugged, marked by a well-defined jawline and a tanned complexion. While he may not have been conventionally attractive, he was certainly not unappealing either.
His appearance was strikingly similar to that of a typical supporting character in a post-apocalyptic setting.
"Who might you be?" Wei Jianjun inquired, eyeing the elegantly dressed Lu Yu with a blend of curiosity and confusion, as they were strangers to one another.
"I am Lu Yu," the latter introduced himself.
"Do we know each other?"
"Not previously, but we're about to become acquainted."
"What business do you have with me?"
"Ah, that's the reason I'm here," Lu Yu responded with a nonchalant smile, weaving a tale.
"A friend mentioned your expertise, and as it happens, I'm in need of a bodyguard.
Would that interest you?"
"A bodyguard?" Wei Jianjun's brow arched in surprise.
"What's the pay?
Is there a trial period?"
"Indeed, there is a probationary phase. However, should you not make it through, a compensation of 100,000 Yuan is guaranteed."
"Ten…100,000 Yuan?
Compensation pay?"
Wei Jianjun's eyes widened in disbelief. His current role as a security team leader in a building earned him a modest 4,000 yuan monthly—a sum that barely scratches the surface of today's societal demands.
It was insufficient, particularly for someone with a family to support.
And here was this man, offering 100,000 yuan simply for a probationary period.
The sum proposed was tantamount to two full years of his earnings.
Was this some kind of joke?
Wei Jianjun's skepticism was palpable, yet the earnest look on Lu Yu's face suggested otherwise.
With a subtle grin, Lu Yu gestured to Xue Li, who promptly presented a pre-arranged handbag.
"If you're concerned about the genuineness of my offer, I'm prepared to provide you with the 100,000 Yuan compensation upfront."
Wei Jianjun stood there, utterly flabbergasted, and even Li Cuiying, who was preoccupied with her daughter, halted in astonishment upon overhearing the conversation.
For a family accustomed to scraping by just to meet their monthly needs, without any savings to speak of, the sight of such a substantial amount of cash was nothing short of astonishing.
Yet, Wei Jianjun was no stranger to life's harsh realities, having served as a soldier and witnessed grander spectacles.
He was well aware that nothing in this world comes without a cost. His initial shock was fleeting, and he quickly regained his composure.
"How did you come to know of me?" he inquired.
Lu Yu's response came with a smile, "Perhaps we could discuss this further inside?"
"Of course, of course, please come in, have a seat!"
Wei Jianjun chided himself for his oversight and hastened to welcome Lu Yu and Xue Li into his home.
He harbored no fears of Lu Yu harboring ill intentions. After all, a man of such affluence, coupled with his formidable combat skills, Lu Yu was unlikely to pose a threat.
It's worth noting that, despite the absence of an apocalyptic scenario, the influence of wealth remains profound.
Wei Jianjun, once a man of self-respect, found himself beleaguered by the trials of everyday existence. The moment he learned of Lu Yu's offer, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude towards him.
The notion of serving as Lu Yu's bodyguard might carry inherent risks, but for Wei Jianjun, it was simply his chosen profession—a familiar terrain.
His relief was not in the absence of demands from Lu Yu, but rather in their presence.
Remarkably, it took Lu Yu less than sixty minutes to transition Wei Jianjun from being Chu Feng's trusted aide to his own personal protector.
Regarding Wei Jianjun's moral fiber, Lu Yu harbored no concerns. In his view, anyone capable of being the confidant to a key figure in the end times is likely to possess a character that is, at worst, inconsequential.
"Is that man particularly skilled ?"
Xue Li queried once they had departed from Wei Jianjun's abode and settled into the vehicle.
The topic of Lu Yu's financial remuneration to Wei Jianjun was momentarily set aside. The sheer generosity of offering 100,000 Yuan as compensation was extraordinary and deviated from Lu Yu's usual modus operandi.
"You will understand in due time. For now, Xue Li, I need your assistance with a task," Lu Yu instructed.
"Please, Young Master Lu, tell me what you need," Xue Li responded eagerly.
"Procure a luxurious dwelling for Wei Jianjun in proximity to our supply storage site.
The nearer, the better. Ensure his name is inscribed on the deed. The cost is immaterial. It shall be a home for his family of three."
"Isn't this excessively generous for someone who has just commenced employment?"
Xue Li expressed his astonishment. "You've already provided him with both a residence and a sum of money."
Xue Li couldn't help feeling a sense of injustice, having served the Lu family for many years without receiving such benefits.
"Generous, you say?"
Lu Yu mused, his gaze drifting through the car window at the bustling cityscape, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Should you desire a house, I'm willing to grant you one as well."
Houses and vehicles are but transient possessions. In a post-apocalyptic world, life itself is as fragile as paper—why then should one fixate on material possessions?
"Perhaps another time," Xue Li replied with an awkward chuckle, dismissing the offer. "I'm not in need of a residence at present."
"Very well, let's proceed. I must hasten back to the educational institution," Lu Yu concluded, signaling the end of their conversation.
A/n :- Dear readers, I welcome your suggestions and feedback in the comments section below. If you find the story engaging and enjoyable, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review for this novel.
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