Volume One, Chapter Nine: Seeing Ning Rou Again

“No, isn’t this just nonsense? How could a Celestial Master of such esteemed status become a security guard?” Tong Millionaire, whose face had just regained some color, nearly suffocated in disbelief.

He’d originally planned to thank the Celestial Master properly; even if the Master didn’t want any money, he was determined to show his gratitude. Yet now, his own daughter had spoken without thinking and offered the Celestial Master a job as a security guard.

He understood full well that this Celestial Master was truly formidable. If he took offense at these words, it could mean disaster for the whole family.

Jiang Chen, however, wasn’t bothered at all. To him, no job was beneath another; it was only that Tong Millionaire regarded his status as too lofty for such a position.

“Brother, there’s nothing wrong with being a security guard, especially since I don’t need any money. It’s a fine position, and quite leisurely,” Jiang Chen replied, his tone relaxed.

After all, his senior sister was still missing, and he had nothing with him—not even money for a meal. He had just saved a great philanthropist; perhaps accepting payment would even diminish his own good fortune. At least, that was what Jiang Chen believed. Before descending the mountain, his master had told him that Celestial Masters at their level would only accumulate blessings, never suffer a loss of virtue.

Tong Millionaire said, “Does the Celestial Master have any plans for now? Why not take a position at my company? I’ll give you half my shares—what do you think?”

To offer half his shares was more valuable than cash. Cash could be spent, but as long as the company thrived, shares meant a steady stream of wealth. Such sincerity proved that Tong Millionaire was truly eager to repay Jiang Chen.

In the end, Jiang Chen still declined. He was not someone who wished to be bound by worldly attachments; even a sinecure would be a restraint.

He spent one more day at the Tong residence. The next morning, Jiang Chen had changed into a set of white sportswear. Since he was headed to the company where Tong Yan worked, the two set out early.

Standing by the roadside, Jiang Chen asked, “Aren’t we driving?”

Tong Yan grinned, “Of course, but I’m not behind the wheel. I have a driver.”

Jiang Chen smiled as well, saying nothing. Having a driver wasn’t unusual—even some salaried workers these days might hire one. For families worth over a hundred million, a driver was hardly surprising.

What puzzled Jiang Chen, though, was that normally the driver would wait at the door. This made him feel as if he were waiting for a school bus, though he himself had once been chauffeured to kindergarten in a luxury car.

“Is your driver always this unreliable? Look at the time, and still not here,” Jiang Chen said, stretching. At that moment, a white Mercedes stopped in front of them.

The window lowered, and Jiang Chen’s outstretched arm froze mid-air as he drew in a sharp breath.

“Jiang Chen, we meet again.”

The speaker was none other than Ning Rou.

Tong Yan glanced at the two, her eyes full of confusion. “You know each other?”

Jiang Chen was about to respond when Ning Rou cut him off, “No, we’ve just met once.”

Tong Yan looked at Jiang Chen again. At that moment, Ning Rou’s eyes narrowed, her gaze clearly warning, “If you dare say more, we’ll both go down together.”

Jiang Chen coughed lightly. “That’s right, we’ve only met once.”

Tong Yan finally withdrew her gaze and patted her chest. “Thank goodness. Sister Ning Rou, let me introduce you—this is Jiang Chen, a truly skilled Celestial Master. He’s amazing.”

No matter how much Tong Yan praised him, Ning Rou saw Jiang Chen as nothing more than a fraud—a scoundrel who deceived both heart and body.

Jiang Chen kept his head lowered, feeling awkward. In the past, even when he’d roamed the streets with his master, sleeping rough, he’d never felt embarrassed. But now, in front of Ning Rou, he truly couldn’t lift his head.

Ning Rou merely let out two sarcastic laughs.

Jiang Chen withdrew from the conversation entirely. He had wanted to take responsibility, but Ning Rou refused and had even thrown him out.

After getting in the car, Jiang Chen sat in the back, reconsidering whether he should take the security job at all. Maybe he should just post a missing person notice to find his senior sister.

But after some thought, he decided to let things be. Since he was here, he might as well settle in for now. Besides, Ning Rou wasn’t actually that hostile; staying for a while wouldn’t hurt.

When they arrived at the company, Jiang Chen was surprised by the gleaming sign.

“Ning Group,” Jiang Chen read aloud twice, unable to suppress his admiration. This family was impressive.

Most companies had names like “Management Limited” or “Media Limited,” their business spelled out clearly. But “Ning Group,” standing among these office buildings, seemed to stand apart.

“Tong, take your little Celestial Master to the security department and get him onboarded. And don’t come back late—if you’re tardy, your pay will be docked.” With that, Ning Rou turned and strode into the building, without a backward glance.

Tong Yan’s expression grew uneasy. Anyone could see now that there was something between Jiang Chen and Ning Rou—perhaps even that Jiang Chen had offended her.

“You two have met before?”

Jiang Chen answered without a hint of hesitation, “Just once, just once.”

Ning Rou wouldn’t admit it, and neither would he. Their unspoken agreement was perfect.

Tong Yan didn’t press further. “Come on! I’ll take you to see Grandpa Zhao in the security office. He’s probably playing chess in the guard booth right now.”

They hadn’t gone far before they spotted Grandpa Zhao, sipping tea in leisure, while his opponent across the board was sweating profusely.

“Grandpa Zhao!” Tong Yan called out crisply.

Grandpa Zhao lifted his gaze from the chessboard. “Ah, it’s little Tong. What brings you to see this old man today?”

Tong Yan flashed her tiger-tooth smile. “You say that as if I never visit.”

Grandpa Zhao asked, “You here to slack off? It’s only the start of the workday—aren’t you afraid your sister will catch you?”

Tong Yan shook her head. “No, I’m here to help my friend with his onboarding—he’s joining your security team.”

At these words, the other security guards nearby finally looked over at Jiang Chen. Yet, after a glance, they returned to their own affairs.

Grandpa Zhao stroked his chin. “Young man, the pay here isn’t much. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Jiang Chen was already prepared: thirty-five hundred a month, no meals, no lodging. He could always earn a little on the side by telling fortunes.

“I’m sure,” Jiang Chen replied.

Grandpa Zhao nodded slightly. “Then let me tell you about the benefits. Here, we provide meals and lodging, your own room, and you patrol three times a day—morning, noon, and night. The salary is twelve thousand a month.”

“What?”

A giant question mark practically popped above Jiang Chen’s head. This was nothing like what he’d expected.