Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 839: Chapter 83: It Was Mine First

Song Haoran quickly walked to the location of ‘Long Tang,’ where Hou Aoni and Lluvia were already waiting early.

Upon seeing Song Haoran come out, Lluvia immediately stood up and approached, saying, “Strategist, about the matter you asked us to investigate concerning the Bai Shuitang president…”

Song Haoran waved his hand to interrupt, “Talk on the way, now follow me back to the village, it’s an order from Elder Song.”

Oni curiously asked, “So urgent? What happened?”

Song Haoran replied, “Rally the troops, committing murder and arson.”

Oni, entirely restless by nature, immediately clenched his fists upon hearing this, with knuckles crackling, “I like this!”

Song Haoran then said, “You drive. Lluvia, report on the Bai Shuitang issue in the car. Uncle Wu has already arranged the plane, we can return to the village by three in the afternoon.”

Lluvia nodded and immediately went to bring the car out.

As they were leaving, a red viper sports car slowly drove into the gate. It was Song Ying’s car. Song Haoran’s car and Song Ying’s car met and stopped together.

With the car window down, Song Ying curiously looked at Song Haoran, “Uncle, where are you going?”

Song Haoran smiled and said, “Nothing important, just going back to the village to pick up something.”

“Back to the village?” Song Ying frowned slightly, intuitively feeling things weren’t that simple. But she didn’t plan to ask too deeply — even if she did, she might not get answers.

The men of the Song Family have always been domineering. Even if they dote on you, when they don’t want you to know something, they certainly won’t tell you.

Besides, she and Song Haoran are strictly segregated. She handles the Song Family’s public business of the Song Dynasty Group, using gentler means, while Song Haoran deals with the other side.

“I’ll be back soon.” Song Haoran seemed to remember something, then leaned over the car window towards Song Ying, “Next time when you take a man out late at night, be more careful and watch the time. I’m not around these days; Uncle Wu might not be able to give you perfect cover.”

Though using this light tone, Song Ying knew it was Song Haoran’s warning… To Song Ying, the smiling Song Haoran at this moment didn’t carry parental authority, yet it made her feel a bit fear, causing her to subconsciously nod, not refuting a thing.

“Oh, by the way,” Song Haoran suddenly said slyly, “Elder Song sent Gan Hong to Luo Qiu, you handle it yourself.”

“What do you mean, handle it myself?” Song Ying was stunned and complained to Song Haoran, “You talk as if there’s really something between me and him! We’ve met for less than twenty-four hours! What are you all thinking about?”

Song Haoran continued teasing, “Really? You took him out in the middle of the night at first, but remained out all night?”

Song Ying glared at Song Haoran. Initially, she just wanted Luo Qiu to witness some blood as a warning, but why did it take on a strange meaning in Song Haoran’s words.

Song Haoran raised the car window at this time, not giving Song Ying a chance to retort, “Oh, by the way, I feel our Luo Qiu might like more obedient women.”

“None of my business!”

Song Haoran’s car had already driven out, while Song Ying heavily hit the steering wheel with one hand, hitting the horn, causing a loud viper’s roar.

In the car that just exited the gate, Song Haoran heard the horn sound and couldn’t help but let out a slight smile. He suddenly looked at Lluvia, jovially saying, “I sent that assist pretty well, didn’t I?”

Lluvia… As long as you’re happy.

However, she and Oni had already found out Luo Qiu’s real identity, so seeing Song Haoran’s actions gave them quite a shocking impression.

Could it be that soon, the Song Family will have a new heir?

After the pleasant moment, Song Haoran’s gaze suddenly turned cold, as he looked at Lluvia and said, “Tell me about the Bai Shuitang matter.”

Lluvia nodded, restraining her wandering thoughts, “Last night, Oni and I infiltrated the Bai Shuitang office and found some things…”

While speaking, Lluvia took out a USB drive, found a laptop, plugged it in, and opened it in front of Song Haoran.

“It’s the Zhonghua Street reconstruction project…” Lluvia spoke slowly.

…

“It seems Miss Ying has returned.”

Gan Hong thoughtfully glanced out the window, then looked at Luo Qiu – this Young Master Qiu appeared very natural and at ease, while Gan Hong herself began to feel somewhat uneasy.

After all, she had only met this Young Master Qiu twice, and the first impression might not have been very good — to this day, Gan Hong still didn’t understand why she would fall asleep under such circumstances.

She hadn’t eaten anything beforehand — regarding eating, being trained in the village, they have a very stringent method.

This time, Elder Song sent her out, essentially to serve as this Young Master Qiu’s bodyguard — not because she, as a woman, had high looks, but because she possessed outstanding abilities far above most people.

In the village school, her results were among the top tier, and she received excellent evaluation in the last assessment — of course, as Song Haoran had told her, besides being a bodyguard, if she could achieve some unexpected results…

But judging by the Young Master Qiu’s demeanor, he’s planning to discuss her future with Elder Song later.

So… before that, make sure he thinks keeping her is worthwhile, no matter his personality.

“Oh? How did you know?” Luo Qiu asked, raising his head curiously to glance at Gan Hong, “Was it the horn just now?”

Gan Hong nodded, quite calmly replied, “I used to be around Miss Ying protecting her for half a year, am totally familiar with the sound of her sports car.”

Luo Qiu said, “I didn’t notice any difference.”

Of course, possessing such distinguishing ability isn’t difficult… But who would bother developing this skill particularly?

Gan Hong slightly smiled, “Naturally, these things don’t need Young Master Qiu to handle.”

Luo Qiu nonchalantly took a sip of water, suddenly said, “You can go see Song Ying, no need to stay here always. If you’re worried about being asked, you can say it’s at my request.”

Gan Hong shook her head, saying, “My duty is to follow you, protect you, unless something special, I’m not leaving too far from you.”

Luo Qiu asked in return, “Is the Han Residence here very unsafe?”

Gan Hong was momentarily taken aback, caught off guard, “The Han Residence has three separate defense systems, and the manor’s guard team consists of over thirty people, all of whom are highly skilled special forces personnel. Unless it’s a strike with heavy weaponry, no one can infiltrate… While that’s the official line, if we break this rule once, there will surely be more exceptions in the future. I might relax my vigilance as a result, and that would be fatal for a bodyguard.”

Luo Qiu curiously asked, “Is this what you’ve been learning all along?”

Gan Hong replied indifferently, “This is all I can learn. In the village, if you can’t demonstrate your abilities and value, you won’t have the opportunity to be cared for. We are all people without a past, given a new life by the village. But the village has a reward system; to get more, we must show more.”

Luo Qiu nodded, “I think I understand now.”

But Gan Hong was surprised, “Young Master Qiu, you… you’re not clear about the village’s affairs?”

“Could you tell me about it?”

Gan Hong hesitated for a moment, then nodded… Since Elder Song had already explicitly stated that he was giving her to Young Master Qiu, it was a clear indication… even though the new master seemed unaware of it now.

Considering that it was just the beginning and perhaps he hadn’t adjusted yet, that’s why he used such a negotiating tone… Gan Hong didn’t dislike such a tone. After all, it was much better than being bossed around from the start.

“The village is not far from here,” Gan Hong’s voice softened, “about three hundred and seventy kilometers away. It’s a valley that has been transformed. The elders in the village say that the construction of this valley is still ongoing even now.”

Luo Qiu put down the copy of The History of Ming he was holding. He enjoyed listening to stories of the past, and at this moment, Gan Hong was a great storyteller, as her demeanor unknowingly became less reserved.

After thinking for a while, Gan Hong suddenly took a glass of water, dipped her finger in it, and began drawing on the table, “… It’s roughly this shape, looking like a petal. But it didn’t use to be like this; it’s only after constant construction and excavation that it finally became this shape.”

Luo Qiu smiled and said, “It looks a bit like an iris.”

Gan Hong’s finger moved to one part of the ‘petal’, cheerfully saying, “This is where we live. Despite being in a valley, far away from the city, the facilities here are not inferior. Most of us are accommodated in double rooms, and some outstanding members can be allocated single rooms… And over here is the rest area, specially built for retired members. They can bring their families to live in this place.”

Gan Hong seemed exuberantly animated and gradually more relaxed, “This is the hospital, this is the canteen, this is the entertainment area… This spot is the school. The children of the village have the right to education, which is free. After completing primary education, students are further specialized according to their potential. For someone like me, we undergo rigorous warrior training. And those without combat talents can learn various knowledge and be assigned to different departments under the Song Dynasty Group… Oh, this is where we usually train.”

Gan Hong pointed to another corner of the ‘petal’, “Here is mainly the forest area for training our outdoor combat skills… Here is the shooting range, here is the group battle area… Well, this position is the driving area. We need to learn to drive various types of vehicles.”

“Are you happy?” Luo Qiu’s interruption came out of the blue.

This caught Gan Hong off guard, instinctively replying, “During that time… at least it gave me an aim to stay alive.”

“And now?” Luo Qiu asked again.

Gan Hong slowly said, “Now, what I need to do is stay by your side and ensure your safety.”

Luo Qiu did not intend to say anything more, just smiled casually, but at that moment another voice barged in—Song Ying.

She didn’t sound very friendly.

“Oh? It looks like my return is quite timely; I seem to have overheard something interesting.” Song Ying walked in as if no one else was there—without changing clothes, still dressed in last night’s outfit.

“Ms. Ying.” Gan Hong promptly nodded towards Song Ying.

Song Ying squinted her eyes to scrutinize, suddenly said, “Showing loyalty so eagerly? Aren’t you going to look more clearly? Gan Hong, it looks like you are regressing.”

Gan Hong did not refute, nor did she show any anger.

Song Ying frowned, but then said, “I have something to say to him alone, you get out for a bit.”

This time, however, Gan Hong shook her head, calmly saying, “Sorry, Ms. Ying, I am now Young Master Qiu’s bodyguard, I cannot let Young Master Qiu leave my sight.”

Song Ying sneered, “Do you have to watch him even when he takes a bath or uses the restroom?”

Gan Hong responded expressionlessly, “If there is a need.”

“I asked you to leave first.” Song Ying took a deep breath.

But Gan Hong was unmoved.

“My glass is empty, could you get me some water?”

At this moment, Luo Qiu suddenly spoke, holding up his glass, and motioned to Gan Hong. After hesitating for a while, Gan Hong took the glass, nodded, said nothing, and quickly walked out.

Song Ying watched Gan Hong leave, then Luo Qiu casually spoke, “Is there something you wanted to tell me?”

Song Ying walked up to Luo Qiu and said coldly, “I don’t know why Grandpa wants to give Gan Hong to you… but you better not have any designs on her, especially any playful thoughts, otherwise… I won’t forgive you!”

“Actually…” Luo Qiu started to speak, but Song Ying let out a cold snort, seemingly as if she had come specifically to deliver this warning, turning to leave afterward, leaving Luo Qiu to swallow the rest of his words.

Luo Qiu shook his head. Not long after, Gan Hong returned briskly with a cup of warm water. Seeing that Song Ying had left, Gan Hong said nothing.

But Luo Qiu said, “You and Song Ying get along well.”

Gan Hong calmly replied, “During the time I protected Ms. Ying, she was indeed kind to me.”

“And beyond that?” Luo Qiu smiled slightly.

Gan Hong opened her mouth but then saw Luo Qiu suddenly gesture towards his wrist, causing Gan Hong to subconsciously look at her own wrist.

“Song Ying’s hand seems to have one of these, too,” Luo Qiu said softly.

It was a silver bracelet.

Gan Hong shook her head and quickly took off the bracelet, placing it on the table, indifferently saying, “It’s a matter of the past.”

Luo Qiu, however, picked up the bracelet, studied it, and then looked at Gan Hong, saying, “Since you don’t want it, why not give it to me?”

Gan Hong hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.

Luo Qiu immediately put the bracelet on his own wrist, chuckling, “It looks nice.”