Volume One, Chapter 10: Someone Has Died.

Although he was not short on money, all his funds were with his master, and compared to others, his salary was not exactly low. Seeing Jiang Chen hesitate, Old Zhao stroked his chin and wondered, “Young people these days really have high standards—so much money and he still isn’t interested.”

Tong Yan glanced at Jiang Chen, feeling that such a capable little Celestial Master earning just ten thousand a month was indeed too little.

After pondering for a moment, Old Zhao said, “Well… actually, the salary is still negotiable. If you’re not satisfied…”

Jiang Chen was inwardly overjoyed—ten thousand a month! True, he did have money, but all the money he earned from missions was taken and put away by his master, who claimed it was being saved as his future dowry. Back then, he was only given a meager thirty yuan a month; now, with ten thousand in hand, he couldn’t be happier.

He immediately interrupted Old Zhao, saying eagerly, “Twelve thousand is fine, let’s sign the contract right now.”

Old Zhao and Tong Yan exchanged a glance, still unsure whether he thought the pay was high or low.

After spending half an hour completing Jiang Chen’s onboarding paperwork, Tong Yan went upstairs, while Jiang Chen happily followed Old Zhao to open a bank account, staring at the balance, hoping to see it fluctuate.

Old Zhao sighed, “Kid, salaries are paid at the end of the month. It’s only the start now—you’ll have to wait a few more days.”

Jiang Chen smiled, “That’s alright, I just like the feeling of looking at the balance.”

Old Zhao said no more and turned to play chess with another security guard.

On the top floor, Ning Rou looked down at Jiang Chen, and a faint blush crept over her usually calm face.

She thought she wouldn’t care about Jiang Chen, or anything he did. Yet every time this man appeared before her, her thoughts would be thrown into chaos.

“Ning Rou, you’re a strong, independent woman. The two of you are worlds apart in family background and reputation. Just treat that night as nothing more than a dream.”

In the afternoon, Jiang Chen had already gotten used to his duties as a security guard. All he had to do was greet people as they passed—it was an easy job. The only dull part was Old Zhao constantly wanting to play chess with him, but Jiang Chen refused, saying, “You’re not good enough.”

It wasn’t that Jiang Chen didn’t want to play, but the difference in skill was simply too great. When he was eleven, he had studied both Go and Chinese chess with his grandmaster, and had even defeated a 9-dan player as a beginner in Go, gaining quite the reputation—though always masked as per his master’s instructions to avoid exposure.

Even Yi Fei, now hailed as the Sage of Go, had once narrowly lost to Jiang Chen by half a point.

As for Chinese chess, there was no need to elaborate—dealing with an old man like Old Zhao was like child’s play.

Old Zhao was puzzled. He had honed his skills day and night with Widow Wang from next door and was undefeated throughout the province—unless facing professionals, no one among the elderly could best him. Yet today, he’d lost to this young man. It was uncanny.

Eager to learn a thing or two, Old Zhao had already ceded his chair to Jiang Chen and poured him tea, nearly offering to massage his legs. But before he could, Jiang Chen stopped him—after all, Old Zhao wasn’t young, and such a thing would be improper.

The atmosphere among the security team was quite pleasant, and Jiang Chen felt at ease—there was none of the usual intrigue.

By four in the afternoon, Jiang Chen was ready to clock off; his job ended even earlier than those working upstairs. As he changed, Tong Yan came bouncing down from above.

She grabbed Jiang Chen’s arm, bumping into his chest, but any irritation melted away in the softness of the moment.

“Let’s go, little Celestial Master, I’ll take you out to eat! There’s a great place near the office—the food is amazing.” As she spoke, her lips pursed into a pout.

Just then, Ning Rou also came downstairs. Unlike her morning professional attire, she now wore casual clothes, her shoulder-length hair exuding a certain vigor, and her tall figure reminiscent of a model.

“Running around after work? Go home immediately,” Ning Rou said coolly. Tong Yan was about to protest, but Ning Rou silenced her with a single look, and she reluctantly let go of Jiang Chen’s arm.

“Little Celestial Master, remember to eat tonight. I’m heading home first—I’ll bring you something delicious tomorrow!” she said, her gaze lingering with reluctance.

Jiang Chen merely nodded; after all, this strong-willed woman in front of him was his lawfully wedded wife, albeit somewhat hastily, but still official. Her words were not to be ignored.

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Ning Rou felt a surge of jealousy, though she insisted it didn’t matter to her.

“You two, come with me for dinner. But you can’t walk together,” Ning Rou commanded, pointing at them.

Tong Yan stomped her foot in frustration. “Why, sis? I’m already eighteen, I can date if I want. You can’t stop me from seeing boys!”

Ning Rou’s eyes narrowed coldly, “Are you trying to rebel?”

Tong Yan leapt behind Jiang Chen, “I’m not afraid of you! The little Celestial Master will protect me!”

Ning Rou stared at Jiang Chen, who gritted his teeth and quietly took a step away.

In name, he was already her husband—there were some things a wife simply had to be obeyed.

Five minutes later, Tong Yan hung her head, on the verge of tears.

She was sure Jiang Chen was on her side; how could he end up helping her sister scold her?

Tong Yan was no fool. She’d already suspected something between the two, but her sister had brushed her off. Now, seeing their interaction, she was certain their relationship was anything but simple.

Feeling dejected, Tong Yan’s only concern now was to uncover the truth about their relationship—it was crucial for a young girl experiencing her first stirrings of affection.

If the two were merely acquaintances, she would pursue the little Celestial Master without hesitation. But if their relationship was deeper, she would let go.

Ning Rou hadn’t wanted to be so harsh with Tong Yan. Their families were old friends, their fathers close since the previous generation, and Tong Yan had spent her childhood at Ning Rou’s home. She had never once raised her voice to Tong Yan—yet today, all because of a man, she’d scolded her several times.

In silence, the three of them arrived at a restaurant—a Western-style building, not too crowded, mostly frequented by businesspeople.

Tong Yan’s displeasure faded quickly. Once seated, she began ordering dish after dish, hardly pausing for breath.

Jiang Chen glanced at the menu but said nothing—whatever they ordered, he would eat.

Tong Yan said, “Let’s stick with these. Oh, little Celestial Master, do you drink? The red wine here is great.”

Jiang Chen waved it off, “No, I’m not used to foreign wine, and… drinking leads to trouble.”

As soon as he finished, he felt a chill from across the table—Ning Rou’s gaze burned like fire, as if she could kill him with her eyes.

After a while, Ning Rou stood up to go to the restroom.

Suddenly, a muffled sound came from outside the restaurant, followed by shouts.

Chaos erupted outside.

Tong Yan got up to look, but Jiang Chen frowned and pressed her back into her seat.

“Don’t look. Someone’s dead.”