The noblewoman swayed her figure as she left, exuding the charm of a mature woman. Even Lan Xue looked on enviously. At this mont, a young delinquent appeared in the corridor upstairs; the living room led straight to the rooftop, and the upstairs corridor offered a view of the ground floor. Upon seeing the noblewoman approach, the young delinquent exclaid joyfully, "Mom, you're back. Perfect, I want to go out for a bit. Can you please plead with Grandpa for ?"
"Where does my darling want to go? I'll have the driver take you." The noblewoman dotingly replied, pausing to turn and look at the General, earnestly saying, "Dad, what do you think?"
"You two head upstairs. I have matters to discuss with you shortly. Don't interfere with my conversation here." The General snapped irritably, casting a stern glance at the noblewoman, who nodded with a look of grievance and made her way upstairs. The General awkwardly glanced at Lan Xue, then turned to Luo Zheng and said, "You still haven't answered my question."
"Is there an answer? Besides you, who else in your family can maintain order?" Luo Zheng replied bluntly, disregarding the General's authoritative gaze. Having experienced so much life and death, Luo Zheng had unknowingly developed a certain aura. Although not as imposing as that of the General, who had long been in a position of power, it was sharp and resolute, unfazed by anyone.
The General hadn't expected such a response from Luo Zheng, and without holding back any courtesy, he was taken aback but then burst into hearty laughter, unbothered in the slightest. He looked at Lan Xue and said with a smile, "I heard from your grandpa that you found a good man. Now that I've t him today, he is indeed extraordinary and quite interesting. Among the young, you are the first to dare speak to this way."
"Grandpa Liu is being polite, but what he says is true, which is what I wanted to express as well." Lan Xue replied with a smile, standing firmly by Luo Zheng's side.
"I see." The General said, smiling as he pondered for a mont, then his expression grew serious as he asked earnestly, "Please answer my question honestly; do you have confidence in ensuring the safety of my family?"
"There are security guards outside who are experienced and familiar with your family's habits, more adept at security than we are. Why choose us?" Luo Zheng countered.
"Because of habit." The General replied with a newfound seriousness, looking at Luo Zheng with authority.
"Habit?" Luo Zheng was taken aback before quickly understanding, his face lighting up with sudden realization. "Indeed, they've beco accustod to your family and thus beco complacent. This is a major flaw, and secondly, I suspect their operations have been scrutinized by certain people, who have formulated targeted assassination plans. But you could simply replace them with a new batch of guards."
"In the end, you still don't want to accept the task?" The General, eyes brightening, hadn't anticipated Luo Zheng's quick insight. Captivated by the intrigue, he asked with a smile.
"It's not about reluctance but impossibility. As a soldier, executing tasks is unquestionable, but they must also be within one's capacity. Why endanger others and oneself knowing it's unachievable? I'm willing to die, but I absolutely cannot allow failure. So, please forgive ." Luo Zheng spoke candidly.
"Impossible?" The General contemplated, eyes briefly closed, flashing with wisdom. After a mont, he suddenly said, "I can sense that you are the most ideal executors—practical, ticulous. Entrusting my family's safety to you reassures . What would it take for you to agree?" By the end, the General's tone held a hint of pleading and negotiation.
Lan Xue was surprised, looking at Luo Zheng. Luo Zheng naturally understood the implication and, after thinking for a mont, replied with a wry smile, "I need absolute authority in execution."
"Absolute authority? How is that to be understood?" The General curiously inquired.
"Your family must unconditionally comply with my security plan. For example, if I say no going out today, then there is absolutely no going out. Otherwise, I cannot ensure your family's safety. The adversary is far more formidable than imagined; I cannot gamble with your family's lives." Luo Zheng explained earnestly, his face solemn, his gaze steadfast and unwavering.
"Interesting." The General mused with a smile, dwelling on the thought while Luo Zheng and Lan Xue exchanged a discreet look, waiting patiently, noses inwardly attentive. Without resolving this issue, Lan Xue was also uncertain about ensuring the task's successful completion, hence continuing to support Luo Zheng's stance.
"Alright, I agree to your terms." The General, after ticulous consideration, agreed decisively. "Any other requirents?"
"Replace all the guards outside." Luo Zheng continued, knowing that guards harboring grievances against them absolutely couldn't remain, as they would pose a risk.
"Alright, since it's decided you will be in charge, everything is left to you." The General agreed without hesitation. "When can you take over?"
"If possible, from now on." Luo Zheng also spoke decisively, as a soldier, fulfilling orders as a duty, without picking and choosing tasks. Given the General's cooperation, what more was there to say?
With matters settled, the General imdiately called Mr. Li, exchanged a few concise words, confird the task, then dialed the internal line to have the young delinquent and the noblewoman co down, introducing everyone. Continuing, he said, "From now on, security here will be his responsibility." He pointed at Luo Zheng as he spoke.
"Mrs. Liu, Liu Qingqing, I am pleased to ensure your safety and request your cooperation." Luo Zheng spoke politely. Having already reviewed their information upon arrival, he pondered in his mind; dealing with these two wouldn't be easy. One was rebellious and flamboyant, the other haughty and dismissive of ordinary people—how to interact with them in the future?
In the room earlier, Mrs. Liu had already conversed with the young delinquent, aware of the recent happenings, though the young delinquent notably embellished the accounts, looking down on Luo Zheng and Lan Xue. She directly ignored Luo Zheng's goodwill, and the young delinquent didn't glance at the two at all, looking at the General with a fawning expression, said, "Grandpa, is this all? No problem, right? If nothing else, I'll head out."
The General, being ever so astute, couldn't miss the disposition of his family mbers, a flash of annoyance glinted in his eyes as he cast an irritated glance at the young delinquent. Suddenly, he realized Luo Zheng's insight had been spot on; apart from himself, no one could really control this mother-daughter duo. Protecting them indeed wouldn't be easy, and he had underestimated the task. Grateful, he glanced at Luo Zheng, silently inquiring.
Luo Zheng shook his head without hesitation, firstly because he was unclear about the situation and dared not agree hastily, and secondly, to test the extent of the General's support. The experienced General could see through Luo Zheng's thoughts, and with a wry smile, dejectedly glared at him before suddenly composing himself, sternly declaring, "I've said it before, from now on, security here is his responsibility, including our travel arrangents; you'll have to ask him." He pointed at Luo Zheng as he spoke.
"Hmph, him? Why should he control ?" The young delinquent sneered disdainfully.
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