Chen Pao stared fixedly at Li Chonglou.
Not only was it unnecessary to deploy so many experts, but even just one of them would have been enough to handle the situation. No, to be precise, ordinary companies would never need people of their caliber. Otherwise, why would Shangjing host the Strongest Bodyguard Competition?
"Ahem, at least for now, it's a normal company. You know my situation. I might offend someone at any time. If I don't hire some people to guard the place, I'm afraid I'll come back one day to find my nest already taken over by others."
This point did have some validity. Moreover, Li Chonglou was the only expert Chen Pao had ever encountered who possessed such strength yet mingled with ordinary people. Just as Li Chonglou worried, individuals of their caliber would avoid excessive contact with ordinary people for precisely this reason.
Sometimes, such entanglements were unavoidable, even if one wished to avoid them. The only course of action was to keep their circles separate.
However, this answer still didn't address the core issue.
"So, what is your purpose?"
Li Chonglou remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. "I can't reveal that for now. However, I don't think you need to worry too much. You are free agents. Even if there are formidable enemies, you can leave at any time. Having the identity of free agents won't bring you trouble because of this."
Chen Pao did not refute this, as it was indeed one of the benefits of being a free agent. Everyone knew they were hired, and if the employer encountered any trouble, they generally wouldn't be held accountable.
Chen Pao also fell silent for a moment.
He had to admit that what Li Chonglou had said had allayed his anxieties one by one. Especially during this sensitive period, Shangjing clearly had no missions available in the short term. Thus, the monthly salary of one hundred thousand, while not a colossal sum, was still a decent income for them.
What's more, Li Chonglou didn't restrict them from taking on external jobs!
"Why does this feel like a job with nothing but benefits?"
Chen Pao suddenly recalled Li Chonglou's strength. Although he hadn't personally experienced it, he had seen enough to know the general idea. In his estimation, Li Chonglou ranked among the top five! In a sense, he was a significant pillar of support.
"The employer is capable, and with Big Brother Roushan around. Damn, it seems there's really no reason to refuse!"
Chen Pao finally made up his mind and nodded at Li Chonglou. "Then bring the contract!"
Li Chonglou's eyes lit up instantly. He chuckled and said, "Then wait a moment, I'll arrange it right away!"
After Li Chonglou left and Chen Pao, having made his decision, felt a sense of relief, he finally sat down on a sofa with peace of mind. However, for some reason, he felt a faint sense of unease about something.
"Am I overthinking this?"
This feeling only erupted when Li Chonglou returned with the contract and finalized everything.
"Wait, how do you plan to help me resolve that matter with the fat woman?"
At first, Chen Pao thought he had overlooked this inciting incident. But when Li Chonglou spoke, he was dumbfounded.
"Don't worry about that. I received the news the day before yesterday. My people have already obtained evidence of her illegal activities. We're just waiting for your approval."
Li Chonglou didn't hide anything and explained the entire sequence of events. Chen Pao's expression immediately turned grim.
"Are you manipulating me?"
Seeing the suppressed rage erupting in his eyes, Li Chonglou smiled slightly. "Not entirely. You can investigate this matter yourself. She brought it upon herself. I merely found out a bit earlier than you."
"However, I've also made preparations for protection. If you wish to resolve it yourself, you'll have to get past me first."
Chen Pao was somewhat bewildered.
"You, you're telling me all this?"
Damn it! What kind of scheme was this? Such matters could be discussed face-to-face with the principal party involved? Although Chen Pao, having realized the situation, could guess it himself, saying it directly was like rubbing salt into his wound!
Was he not afraid that Chen Pao would get angry and leave immediately?
Li Chonglou walked up to Chen Pao and patted him on the shoulder.
"Brother Chen, everyone uses methods. The question is whether they are malicious. You are an intelligent person, and I specifically value your wisdom."
"Do you think my so-called sincerity can make you stay and help me? Others might, but you certainly won't."
Chen Pao became even more bewildered. "Why not me? How many people in this world dislike sincerity and prefer to be manipulated?"
"Because, Brother Chen, you are an intelligent person. Intelligent people don't need others to say or do many things! Whether I am sincere or not, Brother Chen will naturally see in the future. Therefore, what I need now is to make Brother Chen stay first."
Chen Pao shook his head. "You've confused me."
Li Chonglou smiled faintly. "You understand."
Patting his shoulder again, Li Chonglou left the office. Now that Chen Pao's matter was resolved, he needed to attend to the matter of the Cullinan.
So, he first found Yu Ke.
"Does your cousin still need help?"
"Wait a moment, I'll ask."
About five minutes later, Yu Ke provided a clear answer.
He does.
Li Chonglou was not surprised by this. The major actions of the General Bureau were targeted at the underworld and malicious forces. Free agents were affected because many of their missions were often clandestine, making them, in a sense, not much different from those black and evil forces.
As for Yu Ke's cousin's situation, it was merely a sparring match between newly initiated individuals, and the nature of the matter was different.
After Yu Ke finished speaking, she also expressed her hope that someone could go over immediately, as her cousin had just been discharged from the hospital last night and had already received a challenge again today.
That Yang Guang seemed determined not to let Yu Ke's cousin get out of bed.
"Don't worry, all he can do now is use these petty tactics to annoy you. I'll have Brother Cullinan go over shortly. I want to see if this is his idea or Yang Dongtian's idea."
"How can that be determined?"
Li Chonglou didn't explain. Instead, after assuring her, he directly found Cullinan, who was still practicing a counter-hand technique.
"There's someone to spar with. I've confirmed the situation over there. You can go directly now."
Cullinan's eyes lit up, but he still expressed some concern. "Will that have any impact? After all, the free agent association has already issued a notice."
"It should be fine, it's just some sparring. Just be careful not to go too hard. If there's any trouble, come back here or call me. I have connections at the General Bureau as well."
"Okay!"
Cullinan had been itching to get involved for some time. Now, with Li Chonglou's assurance, he simply tidied up briefly and left the company.
Meanwhile, Chen Pao, who had been sitting in the office for a long time, finally had a sudden realization.
"Damn, this guy."
Chen Pao suddenly let out a wry smile.
He understood why Li Chonglou had both manipulated him and then proactively confessed. It was likely because he had seen through his personality.
"It's over. It seems I've been completely understood by someone else."
A complex expression flashed in Chen Pao's eyes. He had been active in Shangjing for so many years, and this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.